Hundreds Honor Fallen Rochester(Mn) Marine (video)

The Post-Bulletin ^ | 4/8/2010 | By Matt Russell

[Son House]

A giant American flag fluttered from a fire truck ladder at the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial on Thursday night as hundreds of people honored a Marine from Rochester who died last week in Afghanistan.

The father, mother, sister and wife of Lance Cpl. Curtis M. Swenson sat in the front row at the candlelight vigil, a somber ceremony attended by families, teenagers, gray-haired veterans and baby-faced Boy Scouts.

"It's obvious that Curtis was a light to many," said the Rev. Norman Wahl of Bethel Lutheran Church, where Swenson's family are longtime members.

Swenson's father held his arm around his mother, and his sister held her arm around his wife.

The ceremony came a week after the Humvee in which Swenson was riding hit a roadside bomb that flipped the vehicle, according to Swenson's father. The explosion killed the 20-year-old Mayo High School graduate.

"I'd like to say that I'm so proud of my son and all the men who have died for our country," Swenson's father, Dave, a former Marine, said at the ceremony Thursday night. "God bless them all."

Swenson's body is scheduled to arrive at Rochester International Airport Friday afternoon. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Bethel Lutheran, and Swenson will be buried Saturday afternoon at the Stone Church cemetery in Houston, Minn., where his grandfather is buried.

A brisk breeze slackened moments before the candle lighting Thursday night. Flames were passed from person to person as the sky grew darker.

Near the end of the ceremony, before "Taps" and "Amazing Grace" were played, Swenson's father walked to an American flag fluttering near the podium and saluted. He held the salute a few moments, then slowly dropped his hand to his side. He stood there a while longer, gazing at a framed picture of his son, before returning to his seat.

[Son House]

As I waited for his body to pass as it was being transported to the funeral from the airport, I realized it was the local Marine I had read about, and I felt ashamed I didn't even remember his name. We both graduated from the same high school. When my nephew wanted to join the Army like his uncle(me), I told him to go all the way and be a Marine, knowing it was a special status for a Soldier.

The dithering, changing the rules of engagement to the enemies advantage, you just wonder if this the best we can do to win. Yes, I do mean this to be a swift kick, I want results, not big talk. His family and friends along with all the other Military families and friends deserve to have the confidence we are doing the best to support their missions, be it in a Humvee attacked by an IED that was probably manufactured in Iran, or a support Troop just arriving for a tour of duty.

May the young man rest in peace, and we enjoy the freedom he wanted for us. May the Troops on the ground be given the victory they have worked so hard for, and thank you folks for all your support for the Troops.

[ConorMacNessa]

REST IN PEACE, FALLEN BROTHER!

L/Cpl Justin J. Swenson, USMC, KIA Afghanistan 10NOV2009

I have fought a good fight,
I have finished my course,
I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)

Eternal Father, Strong to Save



Rest in Peace, fallen brother, rest in peace!
We who remain hold you in high honor.
Rest, fallen brother, in this sacred precinct;
We who remain keep this place sacred.
Rest, fallen brother, among these, your comrades;
We who remain keep the watch.
Rest, fallen brother, amid these who heeded the Nation’s call;
We who remain press the fight forward in your name.
Rest, fallen brother, lay down thy burden;
We who remain have taken up the torch.
Rest in Peace, fallen brother, rest in eternal peace!



Taps

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Proangel]

God Bless Marine.

RIP

[My hearts in London - Everett]

Why does your graphic say “KIA Afghanistan 10NOV2009” when the article states he died last week?

[ConorMacNessa]

Not sure what happened I will check it out.

[Son House]

Thank you both, you obviously appreciate a fallen Soldier in a way many of us haven’t experienced. Many times I think of Private Lewrs, he always wanted to be a Airborne Ranger, and was getting to live his dream, and I’d wish that for all who serve.

[ConorMacNessa]

I am so sorry - I posted the wrong graphic - here is the right one:

REST IN PEACE, FALLEN BROTHER!

LCpl. Curtis M. Swenson, USMC, KIA Afghanistan 2APR2010

I have fought a good fight,
I have finished my course,
I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)

Eternal Father, Strong to Save



Rest in Peace, fallen brother, rest in peace!
We who remain hold you in high honor.
Rest, fallen brother, in this sacred precinct;
We who remain keep this place sacred.
Rest, fallen brother, among these, your comrades;
We who remain keep the watch.
Rest, fallen brother, amid these who heeded the Nation’s call;
We who remain press the fight forward in your name.
Rest, fallen brother, lay down thy burden;
We who remain have taken up the torch.
Rest in Peace, fallen brother, rest in eternal peace!



Taps

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Son House]

Thanks buddy, what you’ve done is all good.

[My hearts in London - Everett]

No problem, conorMacNessa. I just thought maybe they waited to have the ceremony and burial due to it being winter in Minnesota until I read the article. God bless and comfort this young man’s family. I have a daughter in the Navy that goes to Afghanistan 2 or 3 times a year. I pray for her safety every time she goes.

[ConorMacNessa]

Godspeed your daughter and thanks to her for her service!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[A.A. Cunningham]

Correct the order of those flags.