Tribute to fallen Marine is tribute to all Marines
BY KAREN MANN KMANN@FITCHBURGPRIDE.COM

The Marine Corps is a brotherhood unlike any other, according to George (Doc) Fregeau Chaplain of the Marine Corps League North Central Detachment 1076.

"There is a saying in the Marine Corps, 'Once a Marine, always a Marine.' To be able to do something like this, to be in the vicinity of another Marine, means so much to me," said Fregeau, who was a Combat Corpsman for 23 years.

On Sunday, Fregeau and other Marines will dedicate a memorial to one of their brothers, Lance Corporal Geoffrey Cayer.

Cayer was the first Fitchburg resident to be killed while fighting in Iraq. Cayer died July 18, 2006, from a non-hostile incident in Al Anbar province.

While next week marks the oneyear anniversary on his death, there will be a celebration of Cayer's life, not his death.

"Both of the Cayers (Geoffrey's parents) did not want anything about him being killed. There are no morbid feelings towards it; it is a memorial towards life, not death," said Fregeau.

The granite marker does not represent a cemetery headstone and does not say how or where he died, according to Fregeau. Rather it reads, the "Geoffrey Robert Cayer Memorial Park," lists his battalion, division, and what he was involved in, the official emblem of the Marine Corps - an eagle globe and anchor, and the words "Freedom is not Free."

"It is a tribute, through Geoff's name. It is for all Marines serving in Iraq right now," said Fregeau.

The project started about four months ago, by first going to the Cayer family to get their blessing. The Marine Corps League would not have gone forward without this.

"The family was very humbled. They were extremely pleased we wanted to give this gesture to their son," said Fregeau.

The Marine Corps League was in charge of putting together the memorial, as well as picking a location.

Mayor Dan Mylott was the locator of the spot, which is at 2 Boulder Drive. The small green space also houses the Fitchburg police memorial and the Island of Nations flags.

"It is a piece of land the city owns, it is a well-traveled road, it is a very visible place for the city to erect a monument. I can't think of a busier corner for people to see it," said Mylott.

Fregeau said after they looked at the location, it was unanimous.

"It looked so much like the right spot. It was the right size, there is good exposure, it is very easy to get water to. The biggest thing, it is at a focal point where everyone sees it," said Fregeau.

At 12 p.m. on Sunday, a dedication ceremony will be held. Among other things, it will feature singing from the International Veterans Choir, "The Singing Trooper" Dan Clark, music from the Fitchburg High School band, and bugler David Comeau. Fregeau is also expecting many local politicians at the memorial.

"It is always a good thing to celebrate lives," said Mylott. "It really is a celebration of his life, which he dedicated so willingly to the country."

Ellie