Courage, honor and duty ... to the end

Korean War veteran Fred Michael of Princeton holds a flag Thursday during a memorial service for Sgt. BryanOpskar in Princeton. Opskar was killed by a roadside bomb July 23 in Iraq.

A purple heart and flag were placed at the front of the church during Opskar's memorial service.

Sgt. Dale Kortman pauses beside the widowed Leandra Opskar after the memorial service for Sgt. BryanOpskar on Thursday in Princeton. Opskar was killed in Iraq by a roadside bomb.

Marine's sacrifice draws friends, family, neighbors

Princeton man died in roadside bomb explosion in Iraq

By Michelle Tan

PRINCETON - Sgt. BryanOpskar knew from a very young age that he wanted to be a U.S. Marine.

The Princeton native told his elementary school lunch lady that his calling in life was to serve with the Marine Corps, said his father, Erling Opskar.

"He was one of the best Marines that I know," Erling Opskar said Thursday after an hourlong memorial service for his son.

BryanOpskar was killed July 23 west of Baghdad, Iraq, when a roadside bomb exploded near his light-armored vehicle.

"He enjoyed being a Marine, but I don't think he planned on ending his life as a Marine that quick," Erling Opskar said.

Her husband loved with all of his being, said BryanOpskar's wife, Leandra.

"When he loved you, he really loved you," she said. "You know, every inch. No matter how yucky or how delicious."

About 400 people filled the pews and folding chairs in Immanuel Lutheran Church for Thursday's service in the town where BryanOpskar, 32, grew up and played hockey.

Opskar was the 24th Minnesotan to die in the Middle East during the Iraq war.

American flags were handed to guests as they filed into the church. Marines in their dress uniforms and veterans from Vietnam and past wars stood inside and outside the church in a show of support.

Always faithful

Throughout the morning, all eyes and hearts were on BryanOpskar.

Displays throughout the church showed the Marine as a young man, on his wedding day and during his tour in Iraq.

Diann Bellmont of Cold Spring, whose son is a Marine, described the service as simple.

"He lived life the way he wanted to, as a Marine, strong, courageous and faithful," she said.

Bellmont's son, Kurt, is preparing for his third deployment to Iraq in three years.

"We're proud that our sons can serve," Bellmont said. "We'll trust in the good Lord that he'll take care of him and pray we don't have to go through this."

Leandra Opskar was so strong during the service, Bellmont said.

"She made her husband proud," Bellmont said. "It took a lot of strength. Some of us don't have that strength."

'Oh, that smile'

Leandra Opskar said she's taking everything one day at a time.

She misses her husband's integrity, his presence, his hugs, the quiet talks they shared and his smile.

"Oh, that smile," she said as a wide smile spread across her face. "He had that charisma about him."

Her husband was her home, she said.

"The way I felt standing next to him, I felt safe," she said. "He was so gentle with me. He was my soulmate in every sense of the word. I'm so proud to be his wife."

Erling Opskar said his family will now take a step back.

"I'm kind of numb," he said. "I've relaxed a little bit. The waiting, we had to wait for him to come back from Iraq. That was terrible."

He said he wishes he had more time with his oldest son.

"I think, 'Shoot, there are so many things I should've done,'" he said. "Time went by so fast."

Bryan Opskar had just bought a new motorcycle, a Harley-Davidson, his father said.

"I was looking forward to riding with him," he said. "He never got a chance to put a mile on it. That's what I'll miss the most. I wanted to go on motorcycle rides with him, and I think he'll be with me when I go on some."