thedrifter
04-28-03, 05:23 PM
Apr 28, 6:09 PM EDT
Conn. Marine Buried in Buddhist Funeral
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- Surrounded by Marines in crisp blue uniforms, Buddhist monks in flowing orange robes prayed over the casket of Cpl. Kemaphoom Chanawongse Monday at Arlington National Cemetery.
Chanawongse, 22, was honored in a rare Buddhist prayer service at the cemetery, a ceremony that celebrated his life and the sacrifice he made in dying last month in a firefight in Iraq.
"Brothers and sisters take Kemaphoom Chanawongse as our teacher today," said Dr. Chuen Phangcham, president emeritus of the Buddhist Council of the Midwest, shortly after the echoes of the three rifle volleys and Taps faded away. "He is teaching us about life and the law of impermanence to remind us to be mindful in our daily life practice from moment to moment."
The mingling of military and Buddhist honors has been done before at Arlington, although this was the first in recent memory, according to cemetery staff.
The Marine known as "Ahn" by family and friends, from Waterford, Conn., was the 16th servicemember from the Iraqi war to be buried there. And his family is sure that is what he would have wanted.
If he knew that he would pass away, and if he had a choice - (this) is his choice, I know that," his mother, Tan Patchem, said after the service. Struggling to keep her voice steady, her son's dog tags still dangling from her neck, Patchem said "everyone knows what Ahn is like and everyone is very proud of him. Everyone has a feeling that, other than sadness - and sadness is still there - but more than sadness, we're proud."
Chanawongse and other members of his unit - the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. - were declared missing in action on March 23 after a firefight near Nasiriyah in southern Iraq. Three weeks later, his family was told he and six other Marines were killed in an ambush.
On Monday, his brother Kemapasse stood at the gravesite and talked about Chanawongse's bravery. "He was ready to go. ... There was no fear in his heart," he said, then turning to the casket, added, "Ahn, I love you, I'm very proud of you."
Chanawongse was an American citizen who came to the United States from Thailand at age 2. He graduated from Waterford High School in 1999, but put his college aspirations on hold to join the Marines.
Sempers,
Roger
Rest in Peace
Conn. Marine Buried in Buddhist Funeral
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- Surrounded by Marines in crisp blue uniforms, Buddhist monks in flowing orange robes prayed over the casket of Cpl. Kemaphoom Chanawongse Monday at Arlington National Cemetery.
Chanawongse, 22, was honored in a rare Buddhist prayer service at the cemetery, a ceremony that celebrated his life and the sacrifice he made in dying last month in a firefight in Iraq.
"Brothers and sisters take Kemaphoom Chanawongse as our teacher today," said Dr. Chuen Phangcham, president emeritus of the Buddhist Council of the Midwest, shortly after the echoes of the three rifle volleys and Taps faded away. "He is teaching us about life and the law of impermanence to remind us to be mindful in our daily life practice from moment to moment."
The mingling of military and Buddhist honors has been done before at Arlington, although this was the first in recent memory, according to cemetery staff.
The Marine known as "Ahn" by family and friends, from Waterford, Conn., was the 16th servicemember from the Iraqi war to be buried there. And his family is sure that is what he would have wanted.
If he knew that he would pass away, and if he had a choice - (this) is his choice, I know that," his mother, Tan Patchem, said after the service. Struggling to keep her voice steady, her son's dog tags still dangling from her neck, Patchem said "everyone knows what Ahn is like and everyone is very proud of him. Everyone has a feeling that, other than sadness - and sadness is still there - but more than sadness, we're proud."
Chanawongse and other members of his unit - the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. - were declared missing in action on March 23 after a firefight near Nasiriyah in southern Iraq. Three weeks later, his family was told he and six other Marines were killed in an ambush.
On Monday, his brother Kemapasse stood at the gravesite and talked about Chanawongse's bravery. "He was ready to go. ... There was no fear in his heart," he said, then turning to the casket, added, "Ahn, I love you, I'm very proud of you."
Chanawongse was an American citizen who came to the United States from Thailand at age 2. He graduated from Waterford High School in 1999, but put his college aspirations on hold to join the Marines.
Sempers,
Roger
Rest in Peace