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In Memoriam |
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In Memoriam |
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Cpl. Adrian V.Soltau, U.S.M.C (KIA)
Andre Soltau held his fingertips firm just off the shining black brim of his Marine corporal's dress cap.
The sound of taps blended into the wind and drifted across the Wood National Cemetery.
Standing straight and solid next to his parents, the medals on his chest glowing in the sun, Cpl. Soltau held that final salute to a comrade, his younger brother, a fellow Marine laid to rest Thursday in a gray casket.
Earlier, during the funeral service for Adrian Soltau, the older brother had crouched by that casket and shared final words of courage and pride.
"Everything we did, we tried to do our best," Andre Soltau said. "We'll all come see you again.
"Follow me, keep following me."
Although Soltau spoke softly, his words were amplified by the pain expressed in his body language, and they filled the Christian Faith Fellowship Church. As Andre spoke, his father, Andrew Soltau, stood at his side and patted his back in support.
The relatives and friends who had gathered to pay their respects wept for a family and a Marine. Military leaders and elected officials sat humbly to honor a young man who sought to fulfill a mission.
Adrian Soltau, 21, died in an explosion Sept. 13, during his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was the 21st Wisconsin troop to die in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Soltau had enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 2001, months after he had graduated from Milwaukee Madison High School and two years after his older brother had joined the corps.
"His older brother set good goals and standards and he should be emulated," Larkland Brady, the Soltaus' uncle, told mourners Thursday. "Andre said that Adrian followed him, and he should have.
"I don't think he has any regrets, and if he had to do it all over again, I think he would."
Staff Sgt. V. Wyeth, who served with Soltau for two years, delivered messages of praise from his fellow Marines in A Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marines.
Soltau showed his fellow Marines a positive attitude and willingness to help his comrades. He worked hard to make good things happen in bad situations.
"Our nation lost a brave hero, and he will not be forgotten," Wyeth said.
Brady described his nephew as intelligent, ambitious and willing to speak his mind. He leaves behind an extended family of seven brothers and sisters, who will miss his thoughtfulness, kindness and fun-loving ways, Brady said.
His enduring courage will comfort his family, said minister Jose Rivera.
"He was on a mission, and he completed his mission with pride and honor," Rivera said. "Let us remember that."
The Soltaus will have tangible reminders: the carefully folded flag that had draped his coffin and the Purple Heart handed to them by members of a Marine Corps Honor Guard. They accepted each graciously.
Later, Brady talked about pride and bravery and honor, words that applied to both of his nephews.
"Adrian saw the life that his brother was leading and he wanted it, too, because it is honorable," Brady said. "I think he should be remembered for being brave."