thedrifter
02-13-07, 10:56 AM
Fallen hero is laid to rest
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter
Overcast skies provided a fitting backdrop to the solemnity of the occasion-the burial of Lance Corporal Adam Quitugua Emul, the Commonwealth's fourth combat death in Iraq-with hundreds of family members, relatives, supporters and sympathizers thronging the CNMI Veterans Cemetery in Marpi to pay their last respects.
The memorial service for Adam started at 11:30am with a Mass at the Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Susupe. At exactly 1pm, the funeral cortege, escorted by the Department of Public Safety, reached the CNMI Veterans Cemetery in Marpi.
Several cars followed the hearse to the cemetery as the U.S. Marine Corps from Hawaii presided over a brief ceremony inside the Veterans Cemetery chapel.
Government officials and lawmakers led by Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez and his wife Margaret joined Adam's family at the chapel.
The late Marine's mother, Angelica, and father, Wayne Emul, sat silently hugging each other during the ceremony.
Military Veterans Affairs Office director Ruth Coleman spoke briefly to present the visiting Marines from Hawaii who offered a salute to Adam before carrying the U.S. flag-draped silver casket to the chapel where Adam's family and relatives were waiting.
Fr. Nonoy Recaido led a prayer by reading a short gospel before blessing the casket with holy water and incense.
The Marines then took over by lifting the U.S. flag from the casket and folding it according to Marine standards. Visiting U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Thomas Gagnon presented the flag to Adam's parents and sister, MaryAnn. It took Adam's mother several seconds before accepting the flag. The lieutenant governor, assisted by Coleman, presented CNMI flags to them afterwards.
Adam's mother was stoic throughout much of the ceremonies but appeared to give way to strong emotions when a member of the U.S. Marine Corps started playing taps.
The faint whisper of the wind was the only sound that could be heard during the final ceremony at the Veterans Cemetery. The silence was broken only during the three-gun salute provided by seven of the visiting Marines.
Officers from the Nuestra Senora Dela Paz Memorial Chapel then led Adam's parents to the casket. It was then that Adam's mother and sister burst into tears as they embraced the casket for the last time.
Adam's mother sobbed heavily while her husband tried to comfort her. Other family members joined them for their last look at the casket.
When it was time to carry the casket to the interment grounds of the cemetery, Angelica refused to let go. Her husband managed to pull her away from it.
The Marines once again took over and carried the casket to the interment grounds where Adam's final resting place was waiting.
Adam's family members watched the casket as it was brought to the grave. It was then that Adam's family, relatives, and friends began crying.
At 1:40pm, the ceremony ended. As if on a signal, heavy rains suddenly began to pour. The people started to disperse because of the rain.
Well-wishers from Adam's family and friends came up to Adam's mother to give her tight hugs. Some of them also shed tears as they extended condolences to the family.
Rep. Ray Yumul, who attended the memorial service in his U.S. Army uniform, said he is saddened over the loss. Yumul arrived in 2005 from his deployment in Iraq.
Coleman acknowledged Adam's parents for raising a son who sacrificed and fought for freedom.
Adam was killed in action on Jan. 29 in Iraq. He was supposed to celebrate his 21st birthday on March 7 this year. He is the first Marine to be interred at the Veterans Cemetery. To date, there are already three war veterans buried at the site.
Ellie
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter
Overcast skies provided a fitting backdrop to the solemnity of the occasion-the burial of Lance Corporal Adam Quitugua Emul, the Commonwealth's fourth combat death in Iraq-with hundreds of family members, relatives, supporters and sympathizers thronging the CNMI Veterans Cemetery in Marpi to pay their last respects.
The memorial service for Adam started at 11:30am with a Mass at the Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Susupe. At exactly 1pm, the funeral cortege, escorted by the Department of Public Safety, reached the CNMI Veterans Cemetery in Marpi.
Several cars followed the hearse to the cemetery as the U.S. Marine Corps from Hawaii presided over a brief ceremony inside the Veterans Cemetery chapel.
Government officials and lawmakers led by Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez and his wife Margaret joined Adam's family at the chapel.
The late Marine's mother, Angelica, and father, Wayne Emul, sat silently hugging each other during the ceremony.
Military Veterans Affairs Office director Ruth Coleman spoke briefly to present the visiting Marines from Hawaii who offered a salute to Adam before carrying the U.S. flag-draped silver casket to the chapel where Adam's family and relatives were waiting.
Fr. Nonoy Recaido led a prayer by reading a short gospel before blessing the casket with holy water and incense.
The Marines then took over by lifting the U.S. flag from the casket and folding it according to Marine standards. Visiting U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Thomas Gagnon presented the flag to Adam's parents and sister, MaryAnn. It took Adam's mother several seconds before accepting the flag. The lieutenant governor, assisted by Coleman, presented CNMI flags to them afterwards.
Adam's mother was stoic throughout much of the ceremonies but appeared to give way to strong emotions when a member of the U.S. Marine Corps started playing taps.
The faint whisper of the wind was the only sound that could be heard during the final ceremony at the Veterans Cemetery. The silence was broken only during the three-gun salute provided by seven of the visiting Marines.
Officers from the Nuestra Senora Dela Paz Memorial Chapel then led Adam's parents to the casket. It was then that Adam's mother and sister burst into tears as they embraced the casket for the last time.
Adam's mother sobbed heavily while her husband tried to comfort her. Other family members joined them for their last look at the casket.
When it was time to carry the casket to the interment grounds of the cemetery, Angelica refused to let go. Her husband managed to pull her away from it.
The Marines once again took over and carried the casket to the interment grounds where Adam's final resting place was waiting.
Adam's family members watched the casket as it was brought to the grave. It was then that Adam's family, relatives, and friends began crying.
At 1:40pm, the ceremony ended. As if on a signal, heavy rains suddenly began to pour. The people started to disperse because of the rain.
Well-wishers from Adam's family and friends came up to Adam's mother to give her tight hugs. Some of them also shed tears as they extended condolences to the family.
Rep. Ray Yumul, who attended the memorial service in his U.S. Army uniform, said he is saddened over the loss. Yumul arrived in 2005 from his deployment in Iraq.
Coleman acknowledged Adam's parents for raising a son who sacrificed and fought for freedom.
Adam was killed in action on Jan. 29 in Iraq. He was supposed to celebrate his 21st birthday on March 7 this year. He is the first Marine to be interred at the Veterans Cemetery. To date, there are already three war veterans buried at the site.
Ellie