thedrifter
02-12-09, 07:54 AM
Pontiac Marine remembered
Thursday, February 12, 2009 7:06 AM EST
By SHAUN BYRON
Of The Oakland Press
Delvin Rockhill gave his mother, Carolin Singleton, a week’s notice after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that he was joining the U.S. Marines.
“He was only 19 years old,” she said, tears streaking her cheeks outside of the family’s home on Dufrain Avenue, which was ravaged by a fire Sunday morning. “He was just a good-hearted person.”
Rockhill, a 25-year-old veteran of the Iraq War and father of three, was killed in that fire.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No cause of the fire has been released by the Pontiac Fire Department.
According to reports, a family member was in the home and awoke sometime before 4:25 a.m. — which was when a neighbor called 911 — to smoke and heat.
He managed to make it outside and then began yelling and banging on windows to wake up his family.
All but Rockhill, a graduate of Pontiac Northern High School, survived.
When firefighters arrived on the scene, flames were visibly coming from the home on the city’s north side, across from the Pontiac Silverdome.
At a candlelight vigil held Wednesday night, family, friends and neighbors packed the home’s attached carport, where a small altar was set up.
Plump raindrops tapped on open umbrellas and the carport roof where the gatherers hugged and choked back tears for the ceremony.
Small American flags lined the front porch, where stuffed animals were carefully placed.
Tied to the front lamp post in the front yard were red, white and blue balloons, their silver backs gleaming in the glow of porch lights from neighboring homes.
Tear-filled faces glowed from the small candles passed out to the mournful many, some of whom could barely speak through their grief, some wailing uncontrollably.
Veteran and member of the American Legion Post No. 20 H. Bill Maxey called Rockhill a hero for selflessly risking his life for his country.
His stepfather, Robert Singleton, could barely speak, saying Rockhill was a good kid and loved children.
Once the congregation collected themselves, the Rev. James Keys of Monumental Faith Baptist Church led them in prayer.
Standing under Keys’ arm was Carolyn as he spoke.
“Love goes beyond these candles,” he said to amens. “What we don’t understand now, I promise you ... when we stand before God, we will understand it better.”
A memorial fund is being established to help Rockhill’s family and information will be released in the coming days.
Ellie
Thursday, February 12, 2009 7:06 AM EST
By SHAUN BYRON
Of The Oakland Press
Delvin Rockhill gave his mother, Carolin Singleton, a week’s notice after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that he was joining the U.S. Marines.
“He was only 19 years old,” she said, tears streaking her cheeks outside of the family’s home on Dufrain Avenue, which was ravaged by a fire Sunday morning. “He was just a good-hearted person.”
Rockhill, a 25-year-old veteran of the Iraq War and father of three, was killed in that fire.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No cause of the fire has been released by the Pontiac Fire Department.
According to reports, a family member was in the home and awoke sometime before 4:25 a.m. — which was when a neighbor called 911 — to smoke and heat.
He managed to make it outside and then began yelling and banging on windows to wake up his family.
All but Rockhill, a graduate of Pontiac Northern High School, survived.
When firefighters arrived on the scene, flames were visibly coming from the home on the city’s north side, across from the Pontiac Silverdome.
At a candlelight vigil held Wednesday night, family, friends and neighbors packed the home’s attached carport, where a small altar was set up.
Plump raindrops tapped on open umbrellas and the carport roof where the gatherers hugged and choked back tears for the ceremony.
Small American flags lined the front porch, where stuffed animals were carefully placed.
Tied to the front lamp post in the front yard were red, white and blue balloons, their silver backs gleaming in the glow of porch lights from neighboring homes.
Tear-filled faces glowed from the small candles passed out to the mournful many, some of whom could barely speak through their grief, some wailing uncontrollably.
Veteran and member of the American Legion Post No. 20 H. Bill Maxey called Rockhill a hero for selflessly risking his life for his country.
His stepfather, Robert Singleton, could barely speak, saying Rockhill was a good kid and loved children.
Once the congregation collected themselves, the Rev. James Keys of Monumental Faith Baptist Church led them in prayer.
Standing under Keys’ arm was Carolyn as he spoke.
“Love goes beyond these candles,” he said to amens. “What we don’t understand now, I promise you ... when we stand before God, we will understand it better.”
A memorial fund is being established to help Rockhill’s family and information will be released in the coming days.
Ellie