thedrifter
07-16-07, 06:05 AM
Jul 16, 2007
Park dedication
Marine killed in Iraq honored at ceremony
By Anna L. Griffin TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
agriffin@telegram.com
FITCHBURG— A park was restored; a life was memorialized.
More than 300 people gathered yesterday at a noontime ceremony for the dedication of a park to Marine Lance Cpl. Geoffrey Robert Cayer, who was killed last year in Iraq.
“It’s overwhelming,” said Robert Cayer, father of Geoffrey Cayer. “I think to see this many people coming out to support this effort – what more can we say. We appreciate it so much. It means so much to our family to have this
being done, to have something so positive being done.”
Lance Cpl. Cayer was a resident of the city up until the time he entered the Marine Corps in January 2005. He died July 18, 2006, at “Outpost Falcon” in Habbaniyah, Iraq, as the result of a nonhostile incident. He was 20 years old.
He was the son of Robert and Joan (Saulnier) Cayer and the brother of Charles “Chase” Cayer, Alexander Cayer and Abigail Cayer.
The effort for the memorial was started last August by the North Central Marine Corps League Detachment 1076. The site chosen for the memorial is a small park at 2 Boulder Drive. The park memorial was organized primarily by Detachment 1076, other veterans’ organizations and associated groups.
George Fregeau of Detachment 1076 said the park was a living memorial not only to Lance Cpl. Cayer but to all Marines and Fleet Marine Force corpsmen who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
In the opening prayer, Mr. Fregeau asked that God “put an end to war all over the Earth and hasten the day when the nations of the Earth live in peace.” Mr. Fregeau also thanked the city of Fitchburg for its cooperation in getting the space dedicated for the memorial.
Mayor Dan H. Mylott, in turn, thanked the organizations involved with the effort in making the park a reality. He noted that it was fitting the park was located in the heart of the city’s downtown, as the sacrifice of service men and women remain in the hearts of those who benefit from their service. “We will never forget the brave men and women who are defending our American freedoms,” he said.
Col. Michael Belcher of the 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division FMF, said that while preparing his remarks he was reminded of an anonymous saying: “To be a Marine is exceptional; to observe a Marine is inspirational.”
The colonel said a Marine can take an ordinary task and do it in an exceptional way; a way that inspires others. He praised Lance Cpl. Cayer’s willingness to serve his country when others were unwilling or unable to do so.
A special presentation was made by members of the Blue Star Mothers Massachusetts Chapter 1 to Joan Cayer, who is Lance Cpl. Cayer’s mother. They presented her with a special banner signifying that she is a Gold Star Mother.
Senior Vice Commander Charles Mills of the North Central Marine Corps League Detachment 1076 presented roses to Mrs. Cayer.
Mr. Mills, along with Commandant Paul Porter of the detachment, Joan and Bob Cayer and Abigail Cayer, unveiled the monument.
Mr. Fregeau expressed his thanks to the family for their assistance throughout the planning and development of the memorial park.
He also noted the family has been very supportive of the Canines for Combat Veterans program, a division of National Education for Assistance Dog Services, or NEADS — Dogs for Deaf and Disabled.
Through a memorial fund established in Lance Cpl. Cayer’s name, four dogs are currently in training with NEADS to help service men and women disabled by fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Ellie
Park dedication
Marine killed in Iraq honored at ceremony
By Anna L. Griffin TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
agriffin@telegram.com
FITCHBURG— A park was restored; a life was memorialized.
More than 300 people gathered yesterday at a noontime ceremony for the dedication of a park to Marine Lance Cpl. Geoffrey Robert Cayer, who was killed last year in Iraq.
“It’s overwhelming,” said Robert Cayer, father of Geoffrey Cayer. “I think to see this many people coming out to support this effort – what more can we say. We appreciate it so much. It means so much to our family to have this
being done, to have something so positive being done.”
Lance Cpl. Cayer was a resident of the city up until the time he entered the Marine Corps in January 2005. He died July 18, 2006, at “Outpost Falcon” in Habbaniyah, Iraq, as the result of a nonhostile incident. He was 20 years old.
He was the son of Robert and Joan (Saulnier) Cayer and the brother of Charles “Chase” Cayer, Alexander Cayer and Abigail Cayer.
The effort for the memorial was started last August by the North Central Marine Corps League Detachment 1076. The site chosen for the memorial is a small park at 2 Boulder Drive. The park memorial was organized primarily by Detachment 1076, other veterans’ organizations and associated groups.
George Fregeau of Detachment 1076 said the park was a living memorial not only to Lance Cpl. Cayer but to all Marines and Fleet Marine Force corpsmen who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
In the opening prayer, Mr. Fregeau asked that God “put an end to war all over the Earth and hasten the day when the nations of the Earth live in peace.” Mr. Fregeau also thanked the city of Fitchburg for its cooperation in getting the space dedicated for the memorial.
Mayor Dan H. Mylott, in turn, thanked the organizations involved with the effort in making the park a reality. He noted that it was fitting the park was located in the heart of the city’s downtown, as the sacrifice of service men and women remain in the hearts of those who benefit from their service. “We will never forget the brave men and women who are defending our American freedoms,” he said.
Col. Michael Belcher of the 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division FMF, said that while preparing his remarks he was reminded of an anonymous saying: “To be a Marine is exceptional; to observe a Marine is inspirational.”
The colonel said a Marine can take an ordinary task and do it in an exceptional way; a way that inspires others. He praised Lance Cpl. Cayer’s willingness to serve his country when others were unwilling or unable to do so.
A special presentation was made by members of the Blue Star Mothers Massachusetts Chapter 1 to Joan Cayer, who is Lance Cpl. Cayer’s mother. They presented her with a special banner signifying that she is a Gold Star Mother.
Senior Vice Commander Charles Mills of the North Central Marine Corps League Detachment 1076 presented roses to Mrs. Cayer.
Mr. Mills, along with Commandant Paul Porter of the detachment, Joan and Bob Cayer and Abigail Cayer, unveiled the monument.
Mr. Fregeau expressed his thanks to the family for their assistance throughout the planning and development of the memorial park.
He also noted the family has been very supportive of the Canines for Combat Veterans program, a division of National Education for Assistance Dog Services, or NEADS — Dogs for Deaf and Disabled.
Through a memorial fund established in Lance Cpl. Cayer’s name, four dogs are currently in training with NEADS to help service men and women disabled by fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Ellie