thedrifter
03-08-06, 06:20 AM
Thanks to a patriot
Mastic soldier killed in roadside bombing is recalled as a valued friend and a comrade with inner strength
BY SUSANA ENRIQUEZ
STAFF WRITER
March 8, 2006
St. John the Evangelist Church in Center Moriches was a sea of uniforms yesterday, with mourners from the Army, Air Force and Marines sitting among firefighters from the Mastic, Brookhaven and New York City fire departments.
Wearing green and yellow ribbons, family and friends of Army Spc. Thomas J. Wilwerth walked behind his flag-draped coffin as six uniformed men carried it into the church.
They all had come to remember - and to thank - Wilwerth, 21, of Mastic, who died last month in a roadside bombing near Balad in Iraq that also killed two other soldiers.
"Tom was always easy to get along with," said Sean Fennessey, a high school friend, during the eulogy. "He knew how to make everyone laugh."
Friends remembered Wilwerth as a kind and caring person who had a good sense of humor. Even after Wilwerth joined the Army, Fennessey said, he never felt the friendship dwindle. "Although there seems to be an unspeakable distance, I know we will be together again," he said.
Mourners held each other, wiped tears and prayed throughout the traditional Catholic Mass. "Everyone speaks of Tom's goodness," said the Rev. Joseph C. Coschignano. "Clearly his life and his death speak volumes about him."
Coschignano read from Gordon Johnstone's poem, "There Is No Death," which the poet wrote after meeting a retired army colonel whose entire unit was lost in battle. The colonel's initial despondency later changed to quiet faith in God and eternal life.
"I tell you they have not died. They live and breathe with you. They walk by your side. ... They live, they know, they see. They shout with every breath, life is eternity. There is no death."
Maj.-Gen. Michael Mazzuchi presented Wilwerth's mother, Elaine, and his father, Thierry, with a Bronze Star for distinguished heroism and meritorious service; a Purple Heart; and an Army Commendation medal for exceptional meritorious service. He was a patriot, Mazzuchi said.
"As long as there are patriots ... our way of living our life will continue to be sustained and maintained forever. Thanks be to Thomas," he said.
John Walthers, 17, of Mastic Beach, met Wilwerth through his sister, who went to William Floyd High School with him. When he was a commanding officer in the ROTC, he said, Wilwerth was a strong leader who was dedicated to his unit. "He always wanted to serve his country and do what's right," he said.
Wilwerth was at least the 17th resident of Long Island killed in Iraq since the war began three years ago.
Ailish Bengel, 16, of Center Moriches, said she was in disbelief about Wilwerth's death. "It all hasn't set in yet," said Bengel, who knew Wilwerth from ROTC. "You really don't expect something like this to happen to someone from here."
A military honor guard carried Wilwerth's coffin to Calverton National Cemetery.
Ellie
Mastic soldier killed in roadside bombing is recalled as a valued friend and a comrade with inner strength
BY SUSANA ENRIQUEZ
STAFF WRITER
March 8, 2006
St. John the Evangelist Church in Center Moriches was a sea of uniforms yesterday, with mourners from the Army, Air Force and Marines sitting among firefighters from the Mastic, Brookhaven and New York City fire departments.
Wearing green and yellow ribbons, family and friends of Army Spc. Thomas J. Wilwerth walked behind his flag-draped coffin as six uniformed men carried it into the church.
They all had come to remember - and to thank - Wilwerth, 21, of Mastic, who died last month in a roadside bombing near Balad in Iraq that also killed two other soldiers.
"Tom was always easy to get along with," said Sean Fennessey, a high school friend, during the eulogy. "He knew how to make everyone laugh."
Friends remembered Wilwerth as a kind and caring person who had a good sense of humor. Even after Wilwerth joined the Army, Fennessey said, he never felt the friendship dwindle. "Although there seems to be an unspeakable distance, I know we will be together again," he said.
Mourners held each other, wiped tears and prayed throughout the traditional Catholic Mass. "Everyone speaks of Tom's goodness," said the Rev. Joseph C. Coschignano. "Clearly his life and his death speak volumes about him."
Coschignano read from Gordon Johnstone's poem, "There Is No Death," which the poet wrote after meeting a retired army colonel whose entire unit was lost in battle. The colonel's initial despondency later changed to quiet faith in God and eternal life.
"I tell you they have not died. They live and breathe with you. They walk by your side. ... They live, they know, they see. They shout with every breath, life is eternity. There is no death."
Maj.-Gen. Michael Mazzuchi presented Wilwerth's mother, Elaine, and his father, Thierry, with a Bronze Star for distinguished heroism and meritorious service; a Purple Heart; and an Army Commendation medal for exceptional meritorious service. He was a patriot, Mazzuchi said.
"As long as there are patriots ... our way of living our life will continue to be sustained and maintained forever. Thanks be to Thomas," he said.
John Walthers, 17, of Mastic Beach, met Wilwerth through his sister, who went to William Floyd High School with him. When he was a commanding officer in the ROTC, he said, Wilwerth was a strong leader who was dedicated to his unit. "He always wanted to serve his country and do what's right," he said.
Wilwerth was at least the 17th resident of Long Island killed in Iraq since the war began three years ago.
Ailish Bengel, 16, of Center Moriches, said she was in disbelief about Wilwerth's death. "It all hasn't set in yet," said Bengel, who knew Wilwerth from ROTC. "You really don't expect something like this to happen to someone from here."
A military honor guard carried Wilwerth's coffin to Calverton National Cemetery.
Ellie