OB MSG
08-03-09, 09:27 AM
This Marine is also my cousin, but I am more proud to call him a Brother.
Funeral of 'American hero' draws hundreds
http://www.uticaod.com/archive/x1307072098/g113000ea4b5c4a13b4e933ca14469e73e714b694aa07ad.jp g (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:newWindow%28%27http://www.uticaod.com/homepage/x1551837188/Funeral-held-for-fallen-marine?view=pop%27,%27%27,%27760%27,%27750%27,%27r esizable%27%29)
<!-- THIS IS WHERE THE LINK GOES --> MICHAEL LAPOLLA / Observer-Dispatch
Jeremy Lasher of the 2nd Marine Division out of the church during the funeral where the folding of the flag took place at the New Beginnings Methodist Church, Saturday, August 1, 2009, in Wampsville.
<!--close ID rel_media --> <script type="text/javascript">GA_googleFillSlot(GFP_site_id+"_"+GFP_section_id+"_300x250")</script>
<!--close float_l --> <!-- +++++ BODY + STORY +++++ --> By DAN MINER
Observer-Dispatch
Posted Aug 01, 2009 @ 03:05 PM
Last update Aug 01, 2009 @ 05:01 PM
<hr class="m5v"> WAMPSVILLE —
Jeremy Lasher was quiet and calm, the owner of a subtle competitive streak and a courageous Marine.
He also was funny and wholeheartedly dedicated to his wife and newborn baby.
And the 27-year old lance corporal, an Oneida native who was killed July 23 in Afghanistan, was an American hero, those who knew him said Saturday.
A series of emotional speakers gave texture to Lasher's memory at his funeral Saturday, their words cutting through the quiet expanse of New Beginnings Community Church in Wampsville.
"His memory will live on with his wife and son, and we will be proud and honored to say we had a true American hero in our presence, if only for a short time," Bernard Wolcik, Lasher's father-in-law, told the about 300 people gathered at the church.
Lasher and Cpl. Nicholas Xiarhos, 21, of Yarmouth Port, Mass., died of wounds suffered while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, according to federal officials.
On Saturday, the small communities surrounding Wampsville did their best to give back to a man who gave his life to his country.
Numerous fire departments from Oneida and Madison counties lined a short section of Route 5 near the church with their trucks. They also hung flags over the road - an American flag, a Marine Corps. flag and a flag for the Verona Volunteer Fire Department, of which Lasher was a member.
The funeral procession drove beneath them on the way to the church.
During the funeral, Lasher's 1-year old son, Caden, and wife, Andrea, watched from the front of the church with the rest of his family.
After Lasher's mother, Vicky Arnold, told the gathered crowd that they should also be proud of Andrea, the two exchanged a tearful hug.
Lasher's sister, Jennifer Makepeace, read quotes Andrea had written in a journal about the strength of the couple's love. Members of the Verona fire department also spoke about his character, courage and faithfulness to his family.
And his younger brother, Ryan Lasher, who was also a Marine, spoke of the strong bond he had with his brother, about making sure Caden grows about knowing about his father and about his belief that he will meet his brother at the gates of heaven.
"I will walk up to you and tell you that you are relieved of your post," Ryan Lasher said.
The bearing of the honors, a military tradition, took place outside of the church after the ceremony. A flag was presented to Andrea, and a 21-gun salute rang across the relatively quiet, hot August day.
A then bugle played taps, symbolizing the end of Lasher's tour of duty.
Lasher will be buried at the family plot in Oneida Castle Cemetery.
Funeral of 'American hero' draws hundreds
http://www.uticaod.com/archive/x1307072098/g113000ea4b5c4a13b4e933ca14469e73e714b694aa07ad.jp g (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:newWindow%28%27http://www.uticaod.com/homepage/x1551837188/Funeral-held-for-fallen-marine?view=pop%27,%27%27,%27760%27,%27750%27,%27r esizable%27%29)
<!-- THIS IS WHERE THE LINK GOES --> MICHAEL LAPOLLA / Observer-Dispatch
Jeremy Lasher of the 2nd Marine Division out of the church during the funeral where the folding of the flag took place at the New Beginnings Methodist Church, Saturday, August 1, 2009, in Wampsville.
<!--close ID rel_media --> <script type="text/javascript">GA_googleFillSlot(GFP_site_id+"_"+GFP_section_id+"_300x250")</script>
<!--close float_l --> <!-- +++++ BODY + STORY +++++ --> By DAN MINER
Observer-Dispatch
Posted Aug 01, 2009 @ 03:05 PM
Last update Aug 01, 2009 @ 05:01 PM
<hr class="m5v"> WAMPSVILLE —
Jeremy Lasher was quiet and calm, the owner of a subtle competitive streak and a courageous Marine.
He also was funny and wholeheartedly dedicated to his wife and newborn baby.
And the 27-year old lance corporal, an Oneida native who was killed July 23 in Afghanistan, was an American hero, those who knew him said Saturday.
A series of emotional speakers gave texture to Lasher's memory at his funeral Saturday, their words cutting through the quiet expanse of New Beginnings Community Church in Wampsville.
"His memory will live on with his wife and son, and we will be proud and honored to say we had a true American hero in our presence, if only for a short time," Bernard Wolcik, Lasher's father-in-law, told the about 300 people gathered at the church.
Lasher and Cpl. Nicholas Xiarhos, 21, of Yarmouth Port, Mass., died of wounds suffered while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, according to federal officials.
On Saturday, the small communities surrounding Wampsville did their best to give back to a man who gave his life to his country.
Numerous fire departments from Oneida and Madison counties lined a short section of Route 5 near the church with their trucks. They also hung flags over the road - an American flag, a Marine Corps. flag and a flag for the Verona Volunteer Fire Department, of which Lasher was a member.
The funeral procession drove beneath them on the way to the church.
During the funeral, Lasher's 1-year old son, Caden, and wife, Andrea, watched from the front of the church with the rest of his family.
After Lasher's mother, Vicky Arnold, told the gathered crowd that they should also be proud of Andrea, the two exchanged a tearful hug.
Lasher's sister, Jennifer Makepeace, read quotes Andrea had written in a journal about the strength of the couple's love. Members of the Verona fire department also spoke about his character, courage and faithfulness to his family.
And his younger brother, Ryan Lasher, who was also a Marine, spoke of the strong bond he had with his brother, about making sure Caden grows about knowing about his father and about his belief that he will meet his brother at the gates of heaven.
"I will walk up to you and tell you that you are relieved of your post," Ryan Lasher said.
The bearing of the honors, a military tradition, took place outside of the church after the ceremony. A flag was presented to Andrea, and a 21-gun salute rang across the relatively quiet, hot August day.
A then bugle played taps, symbolizing the end of Lasher's tour of duty.
Lasher will be buried at the family plot in Oneida Castle Cemetery.