500 celebrate Reppuhn's life

THE SAGINAW NEWS

Mike Bowen made the long, cold journey by motorcycle to Hemlock from Flushing on Sunday to attend the memorial service for Marine Lance Cpl. Justin D. Reppuhn, a man he calls "brother" although the two never met.

"We're concerned veterans -- patriots -- who want to let the families (of fallen soldiers) know that us old guys don't forget," said Bowen, a Vietnam veteran who traveled to Hemlock with fellow Harley-Davidson rider Ed Jordan of Clio.

"We follow all the local guys," Bowen said. "We try to attend a service for each one in the state (who has died). We're all brothers."

Reppuhn, 20, died Nov. 11 in enemy action in Fallujah, Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Family and friends gathered Saturday for his funeral.

Sunday, about 500 people assembled for the public memorial at Hemlock High School, Reppuhn's alma mater.

It was a bittersweet testament to the 2003 graduate as classmates and teachers shared poignant memories and offered comfort to Reppuhn's father, Daniel; mother, Terri; sister, Ashley; and brother, Adam.

"When I decided to become a teacher, I never knew there'd be days like this," said Assistant Principal Mike Vondette, choking back tears. "I am so proud that our paths crossed and to say that I knew (Justin)."

Jon Meyers, a 2001 Hemlock graduate, asked those in attendance not to take freedom for granted.

"We are here to celebrate Justin's life and the sacrifice he made for us and his country," Meyers said. "He carried with him in his life honor and courage, and it was with honor and courage that he went into battle. Justin has become what the rest of us can only hope to become: a hero."

A slide show drew laughter and tears as crowd members fixed their gazes on images of Reppuhn as a spirited youngster, an exuberant teen and a proud Marine.

The photo presentation ended with two messages:

t Freedom is not free.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life" -- John 3:16.

"This is the Hemlock you don't often get to see in the media," said Mike Gronski, whose son, Christopher, coached Reppuhn in football.

"Hemlock is a family, and even though we don't always get along, we pull together. That's what makes this a great community and what makes me glad that I live here."

Reppuhn's death brought Iraq home in a big way, he said.

"It makes you realize that terror is right around the corner," Gronski said.

Hemlock has had to pull together following the deaths of five young people in the past two years, most involving auto crashes.

"Each death was tragic," Gronski said. "But with many, there seemed to be no purpose. It seemed so unnecessary. In Justin's case, this was his personal sacrifice to keep us free. I thank God there are people like Justin.

"Going through something like this makes you appreciate every one of them (young people). They're all our kids." v

LaNia Coleman is a staff writer for The Saginaw News. You may reach her at 776-9690.