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May 24, 2004

I'll Fly Away

Martha, a Marine Corps mom from Tennessee represented Marine Corps parents everywhere at the funeral last week for LCpl Jeremiah Savage who was killed May 12 in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. Here is Martha's narrative of this final goodbye to another fallen hero.

Yesterday was one of those "scattered shower" days. It fit our emotions, because by the end of the day 4 Marine Mothers and a Marine Dad would experience the dark clouds, the rain and the warm sunshine. Donna, CJ, Linda, Mike and I drove 2 hours and 100 years from Nashville to a tiny town in east Tennessee to pay our respects to LCpl Jeremiah Savage. This beloved Marine lost his life while handing out school supplies and candy to the Iraqi children just 12 days ago.

Livingston, Tennessee is Amaricana at its best. A perfect town square with an old courthouse in the center. American flags all around. On many signs around town were words honoring LCpl Jeremiah Savage. Livingston is the kind of place where we could just ask anyone where the funeral was, and get directions.

We were too late for the official honor escort where all of the official cars in the county drove through town, with lights and sirens going. Everyone in town came out and stood with their hands on their hearts or saluted. This was their boy. I got to see that on the 10:00 news.

The church sits on the top of a hill surrounded by tall, full trees. The small church was full of stained glass, old pews and love. We had arrived early for the service, so we had time to watch the slide show of Jeremiah's life. Baby pictures, Halloween, sports....just an American boy growing up with his brother and sisters in a home where his sweet mother loved them all. I found Jeremiah's mother and gave her the stack of notes from all of you. She was very appreciative and thanked me over and over. We hugged twice- the kind of hug that is shared by Marine mothers, the kind that really doesn't need words. I told her we would keep in touch.

As usual at these kinds of services, there was a diverse group of folks. The fire and rescue squad was there, the sherriff's department. There were several American Indians there and I found them to possess a particular air of dignity. Overall, in the tiny church there was a "Glorious lack of sophistication" right up to the moment the United States Marines entered the building.

During the service, we sang "I'll Fly Away" because it was Jeremiah's favorite hymn. We also sang the National Anthem and The Marine Corp Hymn...my first time to hear all the words since boot camp graduation. Most of the Marine parents couldn't make it all the way through the last verse. The minister spoke, Jeremiah's High School coach, and an outstanding young Marine Lt. He was perfect. At the end of the service, an old man played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes and we all followed the family and the Marines out to the front lawn of the church. The rain had stopped, and the late afternoon sun made everything glisten. The family and the rest of us stood in front of the church and Marines stretched down both sides of the hill. Seven of them executed a perfect 21 gun salute. As we silently listened to Taps, the old Indian woman looked up and pointed to a huge, single bird that was flying back and forth over the crowd. She smiled and was clearly saying a prayer. It is a moment that will never leave me.

As the service was over, we all headed straight for the Marines, and I am happy to tell you that we got fabulous hugs from each and every one. And of course I told each and every one to call his mama. Many of the towns people were in line to thank them for their service to our country.

LCpl Jeremiah Savage, son of the South, American Hero will be buried in Arlington Cemetery on Thursday, May 27th, 2004. He will take his rightful place among America's finest. But in my heart, I know that for the rest of my life, when I sing, "I'll Fly Away," I will remember Jeremiah Savage and the huge, magnificent bird who flew over us, and flew away on a special afternoon in Tennessee.

It was an honor to have been there.

With love and respect,
Martha

Martha, thank you for representing the rest of us. Connie and I recently attended the Coos Bay funeral for LCpl Gary van Leuven who was killed in Husaybah on April 17. He was a 3/7 Marine, as is Connie's son Bill. We took notes of condolence from all over the United States to give to LCpl van Leuven's mother, and we hope to visit with her soon.

On Wednesday, we will attend the funeral of LCpl Bob Roberts. Again, we will take notes of condolence from all who wish to send them. And, we hope this will be the last funeral we will attend for these fallen heroes.

Posted by Deb at May 24, 2004 09:32 AM

Comments

Martha
thank you so much His memorial was all that i hoped for it to be. Tonight when i saw the lightening in the sky a thought came to me that he was in heaven with his brother Marines and they were still drilling...you see he loved his job he was a Mortar Man and loved blowing things up. As the lightening flashed i could imagine him saying hey Jesus this is better than bombs for they hurt no one but what a show they give
Marine Moms are like none others the support and love is sustaining me. He flew away and lives with Jesus now.
PMM of LCPL Jeremiah Savage
Eva Savage

Posted by: EVA at May 24, 2004 09:04 PM

Martha, In reseaching info on Marine LCpl Gary Van Leuven, I came across your website.
May I preface my question, with the recognition that it`s politically un-PC to expose Socialist Insecurity, but it affects the fallen troops, & sadly, no one in the media is reporting it.
Based on a news story, LCpl Van Leuven had no eligible survivors, resulting in him becoming a victim of the FICA death tax, defrauded of his cumulative FICA contributions.
That`s how the government thanked him for making the ultimate sacrifice, serving his country...bilk him out of his hard-earned pay.
If you or anyone you know is addressing this fraud, I`d like to know. If the subject is too politically sensitive, I understand.
Thanks for the chance to offer my biased views.

Harry Thompson
Socialist Insecurity retiree
Tucson, AZ

Posted by: Harry Thompson at May 31, 2004 10:40 AM