In Memoriam

Marine’s tearful dad proud of hero
By O’Ryan Johnson
Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - Updated: 04:05 AM EST

Grim-faced Marines held out a tri-folded flag and a Purple Heart to Joseph Ford yesterday during the funeral for his son in New Bedford.
      “I just cried my eyes out,” Ford said of the moment. “When I realized my son died a hero. Something I didn’t think would be possible in my life. He did what he wanted to do. He proudly served his country. It’s too bad it was just so short.”
      Taps played and rain fell.
      Lance Cpl. Michael Ford, 19, a tanker who turned 18 during boot camp, was killed two weeks ago when an improved explosive device exploded under his tank. He was buried yesterday with full military honors at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, a burial ground for veterans.
      “It was a relief to get it over with,” said Ford, 47, who attended with another son, Joseph Jr. “I was proud to see people there who supported my son, people I didn’t even know.”
      Ford said he didn’t speak at the funeral, but he sang the opening song, “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go.”
      The song’s chorus begins, “I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, O’er mountain, or plain or sea.”
      “The values it talks about in the song reflect the kind of life Michael lived,” Ford said. “He traveled where he needed to go. He was taught to speak up for himself and those who can’t speak up for themselves.”