N.J. Marine is mourned as protector

Sgt. Alan David Sherman was remembered as a tough Marine with a soft heart, a dedicated father, and devoted son and brother.

Sherman, a 36-year-old reservist from Ocean Township, Monmouth County, was killed Tuesday in Iraq when a roadside bomb tore through his convoy. Hundreds of family and friends gathered yesterday at the Bloomfield-Cooper Funeral Home in Ocean to give their final salute in a standing-room only Independence Day ceremony. "Alan was a protective brother and a loving father. He was tough as nails ... and everyone knew that," Sherman's brother Michael said. "Nothing was hidden with Alan."

Michael Sherman, who said he didn't prepare a eulogy, acknowledged he was having a hard time dealing with the death of his brother, who was a licensed practical nurse in civilian life.

"I kept thinking he was going to come back and be a nurse and, you know, I couldn't see that happening. He was never supposed to be a nurse. This is who Alan was. This is how he left us. This was the way he was supposed to go. And I think he knew that," said Michael Sherman gripping the lectern, his head slightly bowed.

Alan Sherman, who joined the Marines in 1994, already had served one tour of duty in Kuwait. He returned home in October and was working as a nurse when he was called to serve again, this time in Iraq. He left in February.

He died along with reservists Cpl. John Todd III, 25, of Bridgeport, Pa., and Lance Cpl. Patrick Adle, 21, of Belair, Md. They were the first Americans killed in combat after the transfer of sovereignty June 28.

Another New Jerseyan, Marine Cpl. Mateusz Erszkowicz, 26, of Passaic, was injured in the same attack. His injuries were not life-threatening.

Sherman, the son of Austin and Sarah, grew up in the Wanamassa section of Ocean. He was an Eagle Scout. Area Eagle Scouts marched in a procession to the casket, along with Marines and the Marine Corps League.

Sherman and his ex-wife, Dolores, have two children, Joshua, 10, and Logan, 7.

"He provided something for his sons," Michael Sherman said. "He left his sons his name, an honorable name."

Several references were made about Sherman fighting for this nation's freedoms and liberties and his funeral being on the Fourth of July.

"Our Founders set forth the foundation for which this nation was built -- life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," said Gov. James E. McGreevey.

"We understand that Alan dedicated himself to a task greater than the pursuit of liberty. We ask the Sherman family to understand that Alan's sacrifice has enabled Americans, New Jerseyans to share in these glorious liberties," he said.

The governor, who was joined by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th Dist.), reminded Sherman's family and friends that whenever they looked at a flag or celebrated their freedoms, it was because of Sherman.

Rabbi Tobias Roth of Congregation Brothers of Israel in Long Branch said the Bill of Rights is not a "sufficient enough reason" for Sherman to have joined the Marines.

"It must be balanced by a sense of duty, and Alan had a sense of duty for his fellow man, whether Jewish or not. To go and put yourself in harm's way requires a sense of duty, and this is what he possessed," Roth said.

Sherman and the others died when a roadside bomb exploded near the lead vehicle of their convoy, which was traveling along a four-lane highway in the Rustamiya district of Baghdad. The reservists were members of Bridge Company B of the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, based in Folsom, Pa.

Sherman's commander, Battalion Lt. Roger Machut, said Sherman was among the best troops in the unit.

"He was far above his peers. He was the company guide responsible for administrative duties. He was hand-selected for this because of his determination and desire to succeed," said Machut, adding that Sherman also was an expert marksman.

Roth reminded Sherman's parents that a man's life shouldn't be measured by the number of years he lived, but "by the amount of living he did in those years."

The rabbi compared Sherman to Samuel in the Bible, who lived only 50 years, but had two books of the Bible dedicated to his life.

"We would need several volumes to provide an accurate description of who he was and what he accomplished," Roth said of Sherman.

Sherman was buried in Congregation Agudath Achim Cemetery.

Donations to the Sgt. Alan Sherman Memorial Education Fund can be made in care of the Jewish Community Foundation of Monmouth County, 100 Grant Ave., Deal, N.J. 07723.