Fitchburg mourns Marine killed in Iraq

[thedrifter]

Fitchburg mourns Marine killed in Iraq
Man described as resolved, funny

By Yuxing Zheng, Globe Correspondent | July 26, 2006

FITCHBURG -- More than 300 people attended a wake yesterday at Fitchburg High School for a native son, Marine Lance Corporal Geofrey Robert Cayer , 20 , who died July 18 while on duty in Iraq.

The line of mourners snaked out of the auditorium and spilled past the doors of the school, where Cayer graduated in 2004 and where his mother, Joan, teaches business technology.

Cayer had no reservations about going to Iraq, said Christopher LeBlanc , 37 , a longtime friend who spoke on behalf of the family.

``Geof knew he was a Marine and was part of something bigger than him," LeBlanc said. ``He was steadfast in his resolve: `I know where I'm going to go. I can handle it.' "

The circumstances of Cayer's death remained unclear yesterday. According to a casualty report released to the family, Cayer died of a gunshot wound in a non hostile event, LeBlanc said. The Department of Defense and the Marines said Cayer died in Anbar Province , but have not released an official cause of death.

``It's under investigation," Jonathan Santiago , a Marine Corp s corporal in Camp Pendleton, Calif., said yesterday.

LeBlanc said Cayer had a great sense of humor.

``He was an observer, and at exactly the right moment, something would be said or done that would cut the silence," LeBlanc said. ``He was a very funny kid."

Cayer wrote home often, and in a letter dated Feb. 18, he urged his brother Alex , 18 , to consider the Marines.

``Tell Alex I said he needs to go to college, graduate, then join the Marines as an officer," he wrote.

Friend Joseph Golden , 19 , said Cayer was usually quiet and reserved in high school, but ``if you were one of his friends, he'd talk all the time."

Cayer played on the high school football team for four years as a defensive and offensive lineman, and he also played tennis, said Golden, a specialist in the National Guard.

Cayer, a radio operator, was assigned to the Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment, First Marine Division, First Marine Expeditionary Force in Camp Pendleton, according to the Department of Defense.

In addition to his mother and brother , he leaves his father, Robert; another brother, Charles , 22; and a sister, Abigail, 15 .

A funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. today in St. Joseph Church in Fitchburg. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Aug. 2.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Jul 27, 2006

Farewell to a soldier

Fitchburg, fellow Marines honor Iraq casualty


By Matthew Bruun TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF



FITCHBURG— Lance Cpl. Geofrey R. Cayer would have been a success in any career he chose, would have been a loving parent to his children, and a devoted grandfather.

That knowledge comforts the family of the fallen Marine, his brother Alexander Cayer said in his eulogy yesterday.

The city paid tribute to Lance Cpl. Cayer yesterday during a packed funeral at St. Joseph’s Church. Lance Cpl. Cayer, 20, died July 18 from a bullet wound in Iraq.



The Marine Corps has released few details of the death, except for noting the injury occurred in a non-hostile incident. The investigation is continuing.

Gov. Mitt Romney was among the crowd of dignitaries who gathered to pay tribute to Lance Cpl. Cayer and his family.

Alex Cayer said his brother’s untimely death had left bitter feelings and sadness, but said the family has chosen to celebrate the good things in his life, his wit and warm spirit, and “self-proclaimed infectious laugh.”

He shared a story of his brother’s knack for including him in his mischievous exploits, such as the time they peeled the siding off a close friend’s neighbor’s garden shed.

Lance Cpl. Cayer was well-read, his brother said, recalling his reading classic works such as “The Divine Comedy,” “Pride and Prejudice” and “Ulysses,” how he’d talked about learning French just for fun.

He loved the music of Frank Sinatra and James Taylor, and his favorite movies included “The French Connection” and “The Graduate.” And he enjoyed the pleasures of cigars and whiskey.

But it was in the U.S. Marine Corps that Geofrey Cayer found real happiness, his brother said.

“The Marine Corps made changes in Geofrey entirely for the better,” Mr. Cayer said. “He became dependable, courageous, dutiful and hard-working.”

Alex Cayer said he felt chills down his spine as he watched his brother cross the stage after completing his basic training in the Marine Corps, and described the day as one of his family’s proudest moments.

“Geofrey was the most unique and wonderful person I will ever know,” he said.

Seeing how many lives his brother touched had brought comfort to the family, he added, whose members will have to assume that Lance Cpl. Cayer would have met any goal he set for himself.

Family friend Christopher LeBlanc, who has acted as spokesman since Lance Cpl. Cayer’s death was announced, delivered an emotional performance of “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables” after the eulogy. The service closed with mourners on their feet singing the national anthem and the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

After the funeral, Mr. LeBlanc recalled Lance Cpl. Cayer as a determined young man who enjoyed private time but who had an endearing smile.

“We’re going to remember that smile forever,” Mr. LeBlanc said.

Lance Cpl. Cayer was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton in California. He will be buried next week in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Ellie