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In Memoriam |
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In Memoriam |
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PFC Andrew Halverson, U.S.M.C (KIA)
The Wisconsin Marine Was Killed In Iraq The Day Before His 20th Birthday.
A heavy sadness hung over the far rear corner of the Shopiere Cemetery on Monday as more than 100 mourners gathered to say goodbye to their son, brother, friend and classmate, U.S. Marine Pfc. Andrew J. Halverson.
They stood under overcast skies in a misty rain as two buglers sounded taps and seven Marines fired three volleys each to salute the young man who gave his life in Iraq on Oct. 9, the day before his 20th birthday.
Two Marine sergeants in dress blue uniforms lifted a wind-whipped American flag from the brown wooden coffin, carefully folded it and presented it to family members huddled under a tent erected at the gravesite.
Earlier, several hundred people packed the small town of Turtle Community Center, overflowing under a tent outside. Friends, relatives and two ministers gave their eulogies to Halverson, a 2003 graduate of Riverdale High School in the Grant County community of Muscoda.
Halverson's uncle, Rodney McFall, choked back tears as he told of the time he spent with
his nephew shortly after Halverson graduated from Marine boot camp at Camp Pendleton,
Calif.
McFall, who was working in Hollywood, said they went shopping for "civvies" on Hollywood Boulevard. McFall told how his nephew, wearing his Marine uniform, walked the street with his head hung low.
"He was unsure of himself and what he was," McFall said.
As they progressed down the street, Halverson began receiving salutes of "Semper Fi," the Marine motto, from men along the street.
"He started walking proud," McFall recalled. "I was proud, proud of Andrew the man and Andrew the Marine."
Among the mourners were two full rows of Halverson's classmates, as well as others from the communities of Muscoda and Shopiere where Halverson spent 19 years of his life. Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, were also there to pay their respects.
Military leaders, members of all branches of the military and veterans attended. There was a contingent of biker veterans of the Vietnam War standing in for the father of one of Halverson's classmates who is in Iraq. The father, also a Vietnam veteran, was unable to attend.
A letter from that classmate, Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher Griffin, was read by another of Halverson's longtime friends, Tyler Wilkenson. It told of memories of their days in high school, memories that drew smiles, laughter and tears from the mourners.
Two of Halverson's classmates, attending Monday's funeral in the uniforms of their military service, also had a salute for their fallen friend as they spoke with a reporter after the funeral.
Marine Lance Cpl. Chad Pauls, and Army National Guard Pfc. Jacob Lundgren recalled good times with Halverson in the days before he left for Iraq. When asked what they would say to him today, Pauls said: "Thanks for going over there and fighting for us." Lundgren responded: "You did your job. Now it is our turn."
Through a military spokesman, Halverson's family requested that it not be contacted by the media