thedrifter
05-29-03, 05:04 PM
Posted on Thu, May. 29, 2003
Marine who died in Iraq is buried
Associated Press
NILES, Ill. - Lance Cpl. Jakub H. Kowalik, whose family came to the United States from Poland when he was just a boy, died serving the adopted country he loved.
"He loved both cultures. He would be always having nice memories of the country he grew up in and the country we chose for him," said Danuta Kowalik of her 21-year-old son, who was buried Wednesday.
Jakub Kowalik of Schaumburg was killed in Iraq May 12 when the ordnance he was handling exploded.
A U.S. flag and a Polish flag were displayed during Kowalik's funeral Mass, which included prayers in Polish.
Kowalik, who came to this country from Poland in 1992 when he was 10 years old, joined the Marines in 2001.
"He was serving for this country and he died for this country," his mother said.
Kowalik had been assigned to the 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Force Service Support Group, which is based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
His job was to repair assault amphibious vehicles, and he was sent to Iraq in March after first being deployed to Kuwait.
Mourners laid roses on Kowalik's coffin.
"He is resting in a peaceful place," said his older brother, Paul Kowalik. "It's all good ... he's going to stay in our hearts."
Rest in Peace
Sempers,
Roger
Marine who died in Iraq is buried
Associated Press
NILES, Ill. - Lance Cpl. Jakub H. Kowalik, whose family came to the United States from Poland when he was just a boy, died serving the adopted country he loved.
"He loved both cultures. He would be always having nice memories of the country he grew up in and the country we chose for him," said Danuta Kowalik of her 21-year-old son, who was buried Wednesday.
Jakub Kowalik of Schaumburg was killed in Iraq May 12 when the ordnance he was handling exploded.
A U.S. flag and a Polish flag were displayed during Kowalik's funeral Mass, which included prayers in Polish.
Kowalik, who came to this country from Poland in 1992 when he was 10 years old, joined the Marines in 2001.
"He was serving for this country and he died for this country," his mother said.
Kowalik had been assigned to the 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Force Service Support Group, which is based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
His job was to repair assault amphibious vehicles, and he was sent to Iraq in March after first being deployed to Kuwait.
Mourners laid roses on Kowalik's coffin.
"He is resting in a peaceful place," said his older brother, Paul Kowalik. "It's all good ... he's going to stay in our hearts."
Rest in Peace
Sempers,
Roger