Mourners Remember Marine Killed In Iraq

Brad Squires Killed June 9

BEREA, Ohio -- A thousand mourners rose in unison as a trumpeter's strains of "The Marines' Hymn" filled St. Mary's Catholic Church on Saturday to remember Cpl. Brad Squires, who was killed this month in Iraq.

More than 120 motorcycles and 200 cars trailed the hearse as it took Squires' flag-draped casket to Holy Cross Cemetery 10 miles away. Hundreds of people watched the procession pass, with some holding flags.

One man stopped in the middle of an afternoon project _ he held a socket wrench in one hand and held the other over his heart. A child held a sign reading "God bless you for your service," and two fire station crews stood at attention.

Squires, 26, was killed by an improvised explosive device on June 9. Four other Marines, including two from Ohio, died in the attack.

The Rev. John Retar said Squires wanted to become a firefighter when he was discharged from the military.

Family, friends and fellow Marines spilled out of two open tents around Squires' grave as a single bagpiper played "Amazing Grace" and Dvorak's "Going Home."

Seven months earlier, Squires and his wife, Julie, had been at St. Mary's for their wedding.

"Brad loved his Marine Corps and would jump at the chance to tell everyone about it," his wife said in a statement released before the funeral. "On an early morning phone call the day of his death, he expressed his desire to re-enlist once this tour was up in November. As a family, we encourage you to keep the many men and women defending our country in your thoughts and prayers."