A HERO'S BURIAL (Marine killed in Fallujah had courage, charm and a maturity beyond his years)

The Times-Picayune ^ | 11-20-04 | Paul Rioux

[cpforlife.org]

A HERO'S BURIAL

The Covington soldier killed in Fallujah had courage, charm and a maturity beyond his years, a grieving community recalls

When Lance Cpl. Justin Daniel McLeese left for Iraq in June, everyone who knew him was struck by his unshakable confidence that he would make it home.

Perhaps it was simply a 19-year-old's belief in his own invincibility, but McLeese's friends and relatives said it gave them comfort in the uncertain months that followed.

What they did not know was that the night before he left, McLeese asked his best friend to memorize a message for each member of his family in case he didn't return.

Now, those words are helping them cope with the shock of his death.

A 2003 graduate of Covington High School, McLeese was killed Nov. 13 in an explosion during combat with insurgents in Fallujah.

One of McLeese's three sisters, Tara McLeese, shared his parting message for her with an overflow crowd of more than 500 people at her brother's funeral Friday at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Covington.

"He said that he would be watching over me and that I was his hero," she said through tears. "Well, Justin, you were my hero. You were a hero to all of us, and we will carry you in our hearts forever."

McLeese, who joined the Marines in October 2003, could have chosen to stay out of combat as his parents' only son. But relatives said he was deeply affected by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and was determined to go to Iraq with his unit, the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines.

"Justin served with honor, courage and integrity," said the Rev. Matthew Clark of St. Joseph Abbey north of Covington. "All who knew him or served with him are continually attesting to this."

[blackie]

Marine Hero ~ Bump!

[JLO]

Bump!

[windchime]

Prayers for Lance Cpl. Justin Daniel McLeese, his family and friends.