thedrifter
08-28-06, 09:56 AM
Fallen Marine honored for bravery
By LAURI SHEIBLEY
Burlington County Times
FLORENCE — In May 2005, U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Anthony Goodwin and his unit were ambushed by insurgents in a courtyard in western Iraq. Several American soldiers were shot and lay trapped.
Goodwin moved deeper into enemy fire in the courtyard and held back the insurgents while the wounded soldiers were carried to safety. Then, while leading an attack on the insurgents, the 33-year-old Marine was mortally wounded.
For these acts of bravery, Goodwin, a former Mount Holly resident, earned the Bronze Star Medal, which is awarded for heroic or meritorious military service. His mother, Brenda Cheney, accepted the medal on her son's behalf at a ceremony yesterday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8838.
Wearing a long black dress with her son's silver dog tags around her neck, Cheney sobbed as she accepted the medal. She stood in the front of the VFW hall, clasping the hands of her husband, Paul, and her younger son, Gregory.
Gregory Goodwin said his brother was a career Marine on his third tour in Iraq at the time of his death.
“He was a Marine through and through,” he said after the ceremony. “Ever since he was little, it was nothing but the Marines.”
He said it did not surprise him to learn that his brother risked his life to save his fellow soldiers. “That was the type of guy he was,” he said.
Anthony Goodwin left behind a wife and two children in North Carolina.
Several Marines from the Marine Corps Reserve Center in West Trenton attended the ceremony to show their support. First Sgt. Rufino Mendez read the citation describing Goodwin's heroism, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Vince DiAntonio presented the family with the Bronze Star Medal.
DiAntonio said Goodwin acted bravely in combat.
“His actions resulted in the saving of three Marines and the killing of two insurgents,” DiAntonio said. “But the price he paid was the ultimate sacrifice.”
Cheney said she is devoting a corner of her home to her son's memory and plans to fill it with photographs, citations and medals.
Cheney, who lives in Mount Holly, said she chose to hold the ceremony in Florence because she wanted to bring attention to VFW Post 8838, which her son, Gregory, recently joined.
“I think it's important that people know we can't forget our veterans,” Cheney said. “They put their life on the line and some didn't come home.”
Post Commander Stephen Mognancki presented the family with the Burlington County Service Medal, an award given to veterans who live in Burlington County. Mognancki said the VFW post was honored to hold the ceremony.
“I thought it was our obligation to do this,” he said. “(Goodwin) sacrificed for all of us.”
At the end of the ceremony, the crowd gathered outside for a prayer. The post's chaplain, Ernie Del Casino, said the family should be proud to have raised such a fine son.
“To the Goodwin family, it is a time for mourning, but you mourn with pride,” he said.
E-Mail: LAURI SHEIBLEY
Ellie
By LAURI SHEIBLEY
Burlington County Times
FLORENCE — In May 2005, U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Anthony Goodwin and his unit were ambushed by insurgents in a courtyard in western Iraq. Several American soldiers were shot and lay trapped.
Goodwin moved deeper into enemy fire in the courtyard and held back the insurgents while the wounded soldiers were carried to safety. Then, while leading an attack on the insurgents, the 33-year-old Marine was mortally wounded.
For these acts of bravery, Goodwin, a former Mount Holly resident, earned the Bronze Star Medal, which is awarded for heroic or meritorious military service. His mother, Brenda Cheney, accepted the medal on her son's behalf at a ceremony yesterday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8838.
Wearing a long black dress with her son's silver dog tags around her neck, Cheney sobbed as she accepted the medal. She stood in the front of the VFW hall, clasping the hands of her husband, Paul, and her younger son, Gregory.
Gregory Goodwin said his brother was a career Marine on his third tour in Iraq at the time of his death.
“He was a Marine through and through,” he said after the ceremony. “Ever since he was little, it was nothing but the Marines.”
He said it did not surprise him to learn that his brother risked his life to save his fellow soldiers. “That was the type of guy he was,” he said.
Anthony Goodwin left behind a wife and two children in North Carolina.
Several Marines from the Marine Corps Reserve Center in West Trenton attended the ceremony to show their support. First Sgt. Rufino Mendez read the citation describing Goodwin's heroism, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Vince DiAntonio presented the family with the Bronze Star Medal.
DiAntonio said Goodwin acted bravely in combat.
“His actions resulted in the saving of three Marines and the killing of two insurgents,” DiAntonio said. “But the price he paid was the ultimate sacrifice.”
Cheney said she is devoting a corner of her home to her son's memory and plans to fill it with photographs, citations and medals.
Cheney, who lives in Mount Holly, said she chose to hold the ceremony in Florence because she wanted to bring attention to VFW Post 8838, which her son, Gregory, recently joined.
“I think it's important that people know we can't forget our veterans,” Cheney said. “They put their life on the line and some didn't come home.”
Post Commander Stephen Mognancki presented the family with the Burlington County Service Medal, an award given to veterans who live in Burlington County. Mognancki said the VFW post was honored to hold the ceremony.
“I thought it was our obligation to do this,” he said. “(Goodwin) sacrificed for all of us.”
At the end of the ceremony, the crowd gathered outside for a prayer. The post's chaplain, Ernie Del Casino, said the family should be proud to have raised such a fine son.
“To the Goodwin family, it is a time for mourning, but you mourn with pride,” he said.
E-Mail: LAURI SHEIBLEY
Ellie