thedrifter
06-18-04, 10:20 AM
Slain Marine saluted
Waterford High honors memory of a graduate killed in Iraq in 2003.
By Ray Hackett
Norwich Bulletin
WATERFORD -- Waterford High School celebrated the achievement of its graduating seniors Wednesday by first paying tribute to the memory of a former graduate, Marine Cpl. Kemaphoom "Ahn" Chanawongse.
Chanawongse, 22, a 1999 graduate, was killed 15 months ago in the war in Iraq, the first Connecticut resident to die in the war.
At the start of Wednesday's Senior Night Award Ceremony, Chanawongse's parents, Tan and Paul Pachem, were presented with the U.S. Navy/Marine Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguished Device, signifying his "heroic achievement" in battle.
"This is a very nice day for me," Tan Pachem said just prior to the ceremony at Waterford High School. "This is a not a sad day."
Chanawongse was previously awarded the Purple Heart.
Marine Capt. Brian Anderson, who has been the family's military liaison since Chanawongse was first reported missing in action on March 23, 2003, also presented the family with a triangular framed American flag. The flag was flown over the city of Baghdad by Chanawongse's unit shortly after the war ended, and presented to the family as part of a Marine tradition for a fallen comrade.
The town of Waterford rallied around the Pachems in the year since their son's death, holding various fund-raisers to endow the school with a scholarship in his memory. The $500 scholarship is awarded to a graduating student who demonstrates the determination, friendliness and sense of humor that Chanawongse is remembered for as a student and community member.
Alex Pai was the recipient of this year's scholarship.
Tan Pachem, a shy soft-spoken woman, spoke proudly of her appreciation of the community support she and her family have received and the importance of the scholarship in keeping the memory of her son alive. It is hoped that scholarship will be increased to $1,000 in future years as the initial fund grows.
"It is our memory of Ahn," she said after the ceremony. "This is how our memory of him will live on, as long as we have this scholarship to give. We want to help someone in the community, someone we can help get the education that Ahn had planned to get when he came home, to get his degree."
First Selectman Paul Eccard presented Tan with a bouquet of flowers Wednesday, a gift from the Town Hall staff who has come to admire the grace and dignity that she has shown throughout the ordeal.
"She is a model mother," Eccard said. "Ahn was a very lucky young man to have a mother like her."
Chanawongse was born in Thailand and moved to the United States with his family at the age of 9. He attended Waterford High School, where he was an avid soccer player and snowboarder. His friends called him "Chuckles" because of his ability to make others laugh.
Chanawongse enlisted in the Marines shortly after graduation, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a veteran of the Thai Royal Air Force. He was proud to be a Marine, wearing that pride on his arm in the form of a tattoo that read "US Marine, made in Parris Island."
Chanawongse and six other Marines were killed in the opening days of the war as his unit attempted to secure a bridge outside the city of Nasiriyah in the southern part of Iraq.
"His actions under fire assured the mission was accomplished," Anderson said as he read the citation accompanying the awarding of the military medal. "And the mission was accomplished. The bridge was secured and held."
Initially listed as missing in action, his remains were recovered 16 days after the attack. He was buried with military honors in April 2003 in Arlington National Cemetery.
rhackett@norwich.gannett.com
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/stories/20040617/localnews/659928-296211.jpg
Chanawongse
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/stories/20040617/localnews/659928.html
Ellie
Rest In Peace
Waterford High honors memory of a graduate killed in Iraq in 2003.
By Ray Hackett
Norwich Bulletin
WATERFORD -- Waterford High School celebrated the achievement of its graduating seniors Wednesday by first paying tribute to the memory of a former graduate, Marine Cpl. Kemaphoom "Ahn" Chanawongse.
Chanawongse, 22, a 1999 graduate, was killed 15 months ago in the war in Iraq, the first Connecticut resident to die in the war.
At the start of Wednesday's Senior Night Award Ceremony, Chanawongse's parents, Tan and Paul Pachem, were presented with the U.S. Navy/Marine Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguished Device, signifying his "heroic achievement" in battle.
"This is a very nice day for me," Tan Pachem said just prior to the ceremony at Waterford High School. "This is a not a sad day."
Chanawongse was previously awarded the Purple Heart.
Marine Capt. Brian Anderson, who has been the family's military liaison since Chanawongse was first reported missing in action on March 23, 2003, also presented the family with a triangular framed American flag. The flag was flown over the city of Baghdad by Chanawongse's unit shortly after the war ended, and presented to the family as part of a Marine tradition for a fallen comrade.
The town of Waterford rallied around the Pachems in the year since their son's death, holding various fund-raisers to endow the school with a scholarship in his memory. The $500 scholarship is awarded to a graduating student who demonstrates the determination, friendliness and sense of humor that Chanawongse is remembered for as a student and community member.
Alex Pai was the recipient of this year's scholarship.
Tan Pachem, a shy soft-spoken woman, spoke proudly of her appreciation of the community support she and her family have received and the importance of the scholarship in keeping the memory of her son alive. It is hoped that scholarship will be increased to $1,000 in future years as the initial fund grows.
"It is our memory of Ahn," she said after the ceremony. "This is how our memory of him will live on, as long as we have this scholarship to give. We want to help someone in the community, someone we can help get the education that Ahn had planned to get when he came home, to get his degree."
First Selectman Paul Eccard presented Tan with a bouquet of flowers Wednesday, a gift from the Town Hall staff who has come to admire the grace and dignity that she has shown throughout the ordeal.
"She is a model mother," Eccard said. "Ahn was a very lucky young man to have a mother like her."
Chanawongse was born in Thailand and moved to the United States with his family at the age of 9. He attended Waterford High School, where he was an avid soccer player and snowboarder. His friends called him "Chuckles" because of his ability to make others laugh.
Chanawongse enlisted in the Marines shortly after graduation, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a veteran of the Thai Royal Air Force. He was proud to be a Marine, wearing that pride on his arm in the form of a tattoo that read "US Marine, made in Parris Island."
Chanawongse and six other Marines were killed in the opening days of the war as his unit attempted to secure a bridge outside the city of Nasiriyah in the southern part of Iraq.
"His actions under fire assured the mission was accomplished," Anderson said as he read the citation accompanying the awarding of the military medal. "And the mission was accomplished. The bridge was secured and held."
Initially listed as missing in action, his remains were recovered 16 days after the attack. He was buried with military honors in April 2003 in Arlington National Cemetery.
rhackett@norwich.gannett.com
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/stories/20040617/localnews/659928-296211.jpg
Chanawongse
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/stories/20040617/localnews/659928.html
Ellie
Rest In Peace