ORDER A BRACELET TO HONOR THEM MEMORY OF PHIL JR.
LET THEM REST IN PEACE BILL SIGNED 5-17, READ MORE
Of Blessed Memory
LCPL PHILIP JOHN MARTINI, JR. USMC
Saepe Expertus, Semper Fidelis, Fratres Aeterni (Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever)
Martini,
Philip John LCPL, U.S.M.C., 24 years old, died suddenly in Iraq on
April 8, 2006. Proud member of 1/1 Bravo Co. 2nd platoon. Loving son
of Philip and Laura nee Korpalski. Dear brother of James (Kimberly),
Anthony and Joseph Martini. Devoted grandson of Veronica (the late
Karl) Wilfinger, Phillip Martini, Alice DeBlase and the late Alfred
C. Korpalski. Fond nephew and cousin to many.
I went to my friend's son's wake and funeral.
At first I’d only planned to attend the wake but the morning of the funeral I felt an overwhelming sense of emotion that I needed to be there to honor the young man and be with his family.
Leaving the funeral home, the processional was flanked by military, local and state police officers, Patriot Guards (http://www.patriotguard.org) (http://www.usvetdsp.com/patriot_guard.htm) freedom riders on motorcycles—American and Marine flags flowing in the wind on the back of their cycles, and members of the community of Lansing and South Holland.
At each intersection traffic was blocked by police vehicles, their drivers standing outside, some saluting the entire time the processional passed. Civilians standing on the side walk or in the street along the route covering their heart with their hand or their hat, some saluting.
The procession passed the high school Phil attended, their
American flag at half mast, the placard outside the school displayed
a message honoring him, then to the Martini home, where the
processional came to a complete halt directly in front of the house.
A police vehicle parked in the drive, a service star in the front
window, a Marine flag proudly displayed outside the home. 
Proceeding to the church, again police stationed at every corner and cross street preventing traffic from breaking the procession--many of the officers at attention outside their vehicles, some crying, some saluting.
Nearing the church I saw countless American flags billowing in the wind against the bright blue sky, the sun shining, and a strong warm breeze in the spring air.
The parking lot of the church completely filled with cars. The street on both sides lined with men, women, children, pets, standing quietly as the cars passed.
I was completely overwhelmed with a great sense of pride and admiration for these people who took time to honor a young man maybe they knew, most didn’t, but that didn’t matter. They were there.
I saw vans from every news station in the area and remember thinking that it would be good for everyone to see this beautiful site of all these people lining the street honoring an American hero.
Sadly, when I watched the news later that day, the only coverage was of the draped casket being taken into the church and then switching over to protestors who carried signs with most disgusting words on them. They didn’t deserve to be on the news—where were the shots of these wonderful citizens?! It infuriated me so I knew I had to write something about it, to let everyone know about the thoughtful people who cared enough to be there for the family, who were honoring a young man--many there because they too have children serving in the military.
But they didn’t make the news.
These fools did. It takes a special kind of stupid to show up at a funeral carrying signs with “the only good soldier is a dead one” or “God loves dead soldiers”. What’s wrong with these people? I can see someone protesting the war but they’re not protesting the war, they’re spreading evil and misinterpreting the Bible.
Fortunately states are passing a law prohibiting these idiots from coming near funerals in the future. http://www.operationhomefront.org/
Please support this bill. SEE UPDATED INFORMATION
Thank you to the Freedom riders, the law enforcements officers and citizens for flanking the processional so the family didn’t see these cretins.
The news had to give them more time on air than they gave the funeral. I don’t understand it. Why be there at all if you’re going to show nitwits and give them the few minutes of fame they don’t deserve. They didn’t belong there or at the cemetery or anywhere else for that matter. If they came from Kansas, they should keep them in Kansas. Stay away from Illinois and Indiana. Leave people alone.
After the church service, at which the Lieutenant governor of
Illinois, Pat Quinn, who is sponsoring the bill to get these people
away from the funerals, gave a moving tribute, we began the long
ride to the military cemetery in Elwood. I was toward the front of
the procession but I couldn’t see the front or back, the
processional of cars was so long.
Every town we went through provided police or fire department staff to block crossings, side streets, anything to prevent a break in the processional. It was amazing to watch as we passed, they were standing at attention outside their vehicle, saluting or standing quietly. When a police or fire station was on the same road as the processional, all of the officers were standing outside at attention, saluting. Even the K-9 units presented beautifully at attention. Magnificent German Shepherds with their ears standing straight up, standing right by their partner. That was so touching.
Once we reached the cemetery there were crowds of people flanking either side of the road as we entered. Some holding signs of support, some carrying banners and American flags unfurled. Most just standing quietly but some reaching out for a hand to touch, some waving. About 50 motorcycles parked along the side of the road, side by side, front wheels facing all in the same direction, American flags billowing from the back, almost as though they were at attention too. What an incredible site.
So many touching and heart warming sites to see, I wished I had brought a camera. I wish those scenes would have made the news.
The processional wound around the cemetery to the place the ceremony would take place. Way off to the side and in back of the chapel a lone Marine holding a trumpet waited for his cue to play taps. The flag folded military style, the purple heart awarded, the sound of the seven rifles crackling in unison three times, an officer shouting commands in a low voice, the slow precise movements of each soldier, the mournful sound of taps, the quiet except for an occasional sniffle from those crying, the melodious sound of a robin, or a chirp of a sparrow, and then it was over.
Returning to our cars to leave for home it seemed no one wanted to be the first to leave. Everyone just stood their looking around, smiling gently to one another, some hugging their good byes.
I’m not sure if anyone will understand why I’m writing this rant. I wish more people would have been there with me to see the things I’d seen. To know that there are more good people than bad. That there are crazy people in the world no matter where you live, even in my own country.
I am proud to be an American, a solder’s daughter, a soldier’s sister, a sailor’s wife.
I’m so proud of the way so many of our fine citizens handled this young man’s funeral, showing their sense of pride, their support of the family.
I’d like to personally thank the citizens of South Holland,
Lansing and all other communities participating, police officers,
K-9 guard, EMTs, fire fighters, the honor guard, the American
Legion, the VFW, and the Mother’s of Marines, The Patriot Guard
(http://www.patriotguard.org),
John and Ray from US99 who spoke so kindly of Phil the morning of
the funeral, and everyone else who participated in some way to honor
our young Marine hero.
If by chance you would like to write a note to my friend, I know he’d be honored to hear from you:
Philip Martini
SEIU
Champaign/Urbana
1606 Willow View Road
Urbana, Illinois 61802-7446
If there is someone you'd like to dedicate a memorial page for, please email me at redhattersmatter@hotmail.com and I will be honored to add your dedication.
Here are other sites of interest
http://americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/index.aspx
http://www.operationusocarepackage.org
http://www.operationhomefront.org/
