Slain Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach honored in Ohio

Politicom ^ | 2/02/08

[Libloather]

Slain Marine Lauterbach honored in Ohio

Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, whose death led to a nationwide manhunt for her killer, was honored with a funeral service Saturday in Vandalia, Ohio.

The Springfield (Ohio) News-Sun said that while authorities search for their top suspect in Lauterbach's death -- Marine Cpl. Cesar Laurean -- hundreds of people paid their respects to the slain Marine and her unborn child, Gabriel Joseph.

Lauterbach, 20, had been stationed in North Carolina prior to her disappearance in December. She had been preparing to testify against Laurean, whom she had accused of raping her.

Authorities have been searching for Laurean since Lauterbach's disappearance on Dec. 14 -- and the ensuing discovery of her remains in a backyard firepit in Jacksonville, N.C.

Several Marines were on hand for Saturday's funeral at St. Christopher Catholic Church, where the Rev. Francis Keferi attempted to offer some hope to the assembled mourners.

By faith we know that Jesus has taken Maria and Gabriel to be in God's presence forever, Keferi said.

[Libloather]

A Marine Corps Honor Guard carries the flag draped coffin of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach into St. Christopher Catholic Church in Vandalia, Ohio, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008.

A Marine Corps Honor Guard carries the flag draped coffin of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach to her final resting place at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008.

A Marine Corps Honor Guard stand at parade rest in the foreground during the funeral of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. Lauterbach, a pregnant Ohio Marine, was found slain last month in North Carolina, where she was stationed.

A Marine Corps bugler salutes during the funeral of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008.

A Marine Corps Honor Guard fires a 21-gun salute during the funeral of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008.

The Patriot Guard Riders arrives at St. Christopher Catholic Church for the funeral for Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach in Vandalia, Ohio, on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008.

[DuncanWaring]

Hopefully, no sign of the WBC.

[RedRover]

Sad ping.

[Bahbah]

The finest America can produce. The best that there is in the world.

[TMSuchman]

There was NO mention of them in any of the stories that I have been following.

I also hope that her daughter was buried with her & that she had a name as well....

[pandoraou812]

It was a little boy named Gabriel. It is very sad. Prayers for Maria,Gabriel & her family.

[Red_Devil 232]

I have posted this a couple of times on other threads. The first link is to the finished product. The other links are to the various sites where the video was made with interviews of the Marines and Americans who respect them.

America's Marines

America's Marines in Rhode Island

America's Marines in New York

America's Marines in Philadelphia

America's Marines at the Marine Corps Museum

America's Marines in Kentucky & Indiana

America's Marines in Nashville and Columbia

America's Marines in Denver and Leadville

America's Marines at the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam

America's Marines in San Francisco and San Leandro

[livius]

This has been a terrible story. I’m glad at least that they gave her a good funeral. Prayers for her and her family.

[Redbob]

The Marines need to go down to Mexico, find her killer, and bring him back to a swift trial and a swifter execution.

And shoot any Mex who stands in their way.

[La Enchiladita]

Poor Maria, poor Gabriel, whose lives were tragically cut short. May they rest in peace and may the Lord comfort their grief-stricken loved ones left behind.

[A.A. Cunningham]

A Marine Corps Honor Guard fires a 21-gun salute during the funeral of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008.

Caption correction:

A Marine Corps rifle detail fires three rifle volleys during the funeral of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008.

[freema]

She was most proud of being a Marine.

[freema]

From what I have seen reported, WBC did indeed attend but the family did not see them, thanks to the Patriot Guard. The baby was buried in a separate little silver casket. Though the 1st autopsy claimed the baby was a girl, the 2nd autopsy has not been reported. The family deferred to what Maria had been told and referred to the baby as a boy, Gabriel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Four uniformed m(M)arines wheeled Lauterbach's coffin down the aisle to the strains of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." A small silver casket bearing Lauterbach's unborn child, who she had named Gabriel, was placed next to it.

"Maria would want it remembered that despite the fears and frustrations of the past several months, her proudest moments were as a Marine," the family statement said.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j2T9P12peUYvaqH4BpmCcyAGlxkAD8UIJVL00

[pandoraou812]

Thank you for the information. This is such a sad story. The WBC are evil & no church but a disgusting cult. They are just crazy . I am happy the family didn’t have to see them. ~Pandy~

[freema]

I’m sure the family will see pictures, eventually. But like you said, I’m happy the family didn’t seem them yesterday.

[pandoraou812]

This story is sad because there are so many questions left unanswered. This murder just shouldn’t have happened.( not that any should happen) I hope they bring that killer back here & he has to face justice. I have my doubts about his wife too. The whole thing stinks! Prayers they get justice for Maria & her baby.

[freema]

Wanted you to know this has finally been corrected in at least one place.

Slain Marine: An article in Sunday's Section A about the burial of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach said a Marine unit gave a 21-gun salute at the grave site. Seven Marines fired three volleys in salute and taps was played. A 21-gun salute is the firing of guns such as cannons at one-minute intervals and is reserved for heads of state and other leaders, or to honor national flags or national holidays.

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-a2-correx5feb05,1,4033657.story