thedrifter
05-04-06, 05:36 AM
N.H. man killed by land mine in Iraq
Marine planned to become pastor
By Raja Mishra, Globe Staff | May 4, 2006
After a rocky adolescence, Robert Moscillo found a plan for his life: He wanted to become a pastor, he told family and friends, but first, he would have to attend college. To finance his education, the Salem, N.H., resident decided to join the military.
''He said that he found that God really did love him; it was a somewhat difficult thing for him to grasp," said the Rev. Dennis M. Scott of Community Bible Fellowship Church of the Nazarene in Manchester. ''But he did come to understand that God had a plan for his life."
Lance Corporal Moscillo, 21, who left for Iraq 10 weeks ago, was killed when his Humvee detonated a land mine Tuesday, his family said.
The Marine's death after years of struggling to find himself left Scott shaken. The pastor had cared for Moscillo for four years.
''It's difficult for me to see this as part of God's plan," Scott said. ''But God doesn't always reveal his plan to me."
Moscillo graduated from Salem High School in 2003, where he wrestled and participated in ROTC, according to school officials.
''He was the kind of boy who tried hard all the time," said teacher Maureen Ouellette. ''He had ambition to get out of Salem and be something more than just a high school graduate."
His aunt Lori Jeffrey, 42, of Salem described him as ''fun-loving. When he walked in the room, he made people smile and could really make people laugh."
But growing up took work. Moscillo lived with Scott during his high school years, at the request of his mother, a struggling single parent who could not handle her rebellious son, said Scott.
Moscillo ''saw it as a new beginning," Scott said.
For four years, Moscillo buckled down, mostly staying out of trouble and performing respectably at Salem High.
Then, in the year after graduation, Moscillo again felt restless and adrift, Scott said. Again, Moscillo sought out the pastor's assistance and advice, ultimately finding solace in his spiritual life.
''He came to the point where he decided he needed to settle down and establish some priorities," Scott said. ''He felt the Lord had been talking to him about becoming a pastor."
Moscillo wanted to attend Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, then the seminary, Scott said.
The Marines would provide the financial means, but his duty in Iraq was not only an economic tool.
''He appreciated freedom and believed he was going to Iraq to help other people go free," Scott said.
At Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he went through boot camp, Moscillo was nicknamed The Chaplain for pushing his fellow Marines to attend church, his family said. He shipped out to Iraq on Feb. 25.
''We would ask him what he was doing over there," Jeffrey said. ''He would always just laugh and say, 'I'd rather not get into it.' "
''Robert was doing what God was leading him to do," she said. ''He was proud to protect the country, and we were proud of him."
Moscillo leaves his father, Frank of Beverly, and his mother, Donna of Salem, as well as three siblings, Sandra and Joseph of Salem, and David, who is in Marine boot camp.
Scott last saw Moscillo in February, just days before he was to head for the war zone.
''We talked about the possibility of his not coming back," Scott said. ''And Bob said, 'I want to come back, but if I go to heaven, I'm ready.' "
Ellie
Marine planned to become pastor
By Raja Mishra, Globe Staff | May 4, 2006
After a rocky adolescence, Robert Moscillo found a plan for his life: He wanted to become a pastor, he told family and friends, but first, he would have to attend college. To finance his education, the Salem, N.H., resident decided to join the military.
''He said that he found that God really did love him; it was a somewhat difficult thing for him to grasp," said the Rev. Dennis M. Scott of Community Bible Fellowship Church of the Nazarene in Manchester. ''But he did come to understand that God had a plan for his life."
Lance Corporal Moscillo, 21, who left for Iraq 10 weeks ago, was killed when his Humvee detonated a land mine Tuesday, his family said.
The Marine's death after years of struggling to find himself left Scott shaken. The pastor had cared for Moscillo for four years.
''It's difficult for me to see this as part of God's plan," Scott said. ''But God doesn't always reveal his plan to me."
Moscillo graduated from Salem High School in 2003, where he wrestled and participated in ROTC, according to school officials.
''He was the kind of boy who tried hard all the time," said teacher Maureen Ouellette. ''He had ambition to get out of Salem and be something more than just a high school graduate."
His aunt Lori Jeffrey, 42, of Salem described him as ''fun-loving. When he walked in the room, he made people smile and could really make people laugh."
But growing up took work. Moscillo lived with Scott during his high school years, at the request of his mother, a struggling single parent who could not handle her rebellious son, said Scott.
Moscillo ''saw it as a new beginning," Scott said.
For four years, Moscillo buckled down, mostly staying out of trouble and performing respectably at Salem High.
Then, in the year after graduation, Moscillo again felt restless and adrift, Scott said. Again, Moscillo sought out the pastor's assistance and advice, ultimately finding solace in his spiritual life.
''He came to the point where he decided he needed to settle down and establish some priorities," Scott said. ''He felt the Lord had been talking to him about becoming a pastor."
Moscillo wanted to attend Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, then the seminary, Scott said.
The Marines would provide the financial means, but his duty in Iraq was not only an economic tool.
''He appreciated freedom and believed he was going to Iraq to help other people go free," Scott said.
At Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he went through boot camp, Moscillo was nicknamed The Chaplain for pushing his fellow Marines to attend church, his family said. He shipped out to Iraq on Feb. 25.
''We would ask him what he was doing over there," Jeffrey said. ''He would always just laugh and say, 'I'd rather not get into it.' "
''Robert was doing what God was leading him to do," she said. ''He was proud to protect the country, and we were proud of him."
Moscillo leaves his father, Frank of Beverly, and his mother, Donna of Salem, as well as three siblings, Sandra and Joseph of Salem, and David, who is in Marine boot camp.
Scott last saw Moscillo in February, just days before he was to head for the war zone.
''We talked about the possibility of his not coming back," Scott said. ''And Bob said, 'I want to come back, but if I go to heaven, I'm ready.' "
Ellie