In Memoriam

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LCpl. Michael Glover

(reprinted from The New York Daily News, August 27, 2006)

Honoring a fallen Marine

A Queens marine who was killed in Iraq this month in the fight "to protect the ones" he loves was buried after a tearful funeral in his home parish yesterday.

Hundreds of relatives, friends and fellow Marines of Lance Cpl. Michael Glover, 28, of Belle Harbor, filled St. Francis de Sales church on Rockaway Beach Blvd. for the service.

Hundreds more stood at attention outside the big tan brick church, listening to the service over a public address system.

"He didn't join the Marines because he was angry; he didn't want to go and kill Iraqis," said Glover's cousin, retired Fire Department Chief Peter Hayden, as mourners wept openly. "He just knew what he had to do ... he had compassion for human suffering."

Hayden said Glover enlisted in 2004, interrupting his studies at Pace Law School, because the 9/11 terrorist attacks left such a deep impression.

Glover gave his life, Hayden said, "So future Americans could grow up in a world where you could have a cup of coffee or get on a plane and not be concerned."

Hayden read from a letter Glover had sent from Iraq in which he said: "I am doing this to protect the ones I love."

In his eulogy, the Rev. Peter Rayder, who also grew up in Belle Harbor, compared Glover's sacrifice to that of Jesus Christ - "Both served people that rejected [their] message," Rayder said.

"He was always faithful in service, faithful to his friends and to his community. ... He also served because he knew people in Iraq needed to taste freedom."

Glover, a machine gunner, was killed by a sniper while on foot patrol in Fallujah Aug. 16. His platoon commander, Capt. John McKenna 4th, 30, also was killed by sniper fire as he attempted to rescue Glover. McKenna was buried Friday at upstate Saratoga National Cemetery.

Both men were reservists in the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, based in Albany. They were due to finish their tours of duty in October.

"In a world where we honor and put on a pedestal famous athletes, rock stars and movie stars, I believe we should all be like Mike," said Rayder. "I want to be like Mike."

"He's beyond commendable in his service to his community and his country," added Kathleen Heavey, 40, a neighbor from Rockaway. "He made the ultimate sacrifice."

Burial was in Mount St. Mary's Cemetery in Flushing.