 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
LCpl. Nicholas Wilt (KIA)
(reprinted from ZWire.com, September 16, 2004)
Tampa Marine buried after second Iraq deployment
BUSHNELL, Fla. - Shy of her first wedding anniversary, Mercedes Wilt dropped to her knees, clasped a folded flag to her chest and stretched her right arm toward her husband's grave as the Marine killed in Iraq was buried on the third anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
Lance Cpl. Nicholas Wilt, 23, a heavy machine-gun section leader, died Sept. 3 on his second tour of duty in Iraq along with two officers from his unit fighting in Al Anbar province.
"He always seemed to do what was right," said cousin Brian Scussel, 19.
The Tampa man was buried Saturday in a military service at Florida National Cemetery.
"I should have been right behind his truck," said Cpl. Ryan Hester, who stayed behind during last month's deployment for health reasons. "I'm here to support Mercedes. This is the reason for keeping me back, I guess."
Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio attended the funeral Mass for the Tampa Catholic High School graduate.