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Saturday, November 20, 2004
Fil-Am soldier killed in Iraq buried in Clark
By Chris Navarro
CLARK ECOZONE -- Teary-eyed and clinching the American flag, Amelia Fortune, wife of the late US Army Sgt. Maurice Keith Fortune, watched silently as her husband's coffin was lowered in a plot at a cemetery in this economic zone Friday.
Maurice, who served for the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID), was killed in a car bombing in Ar Ramadi, Iraq last October 29.
The US Government provided full military burial honors for the Filipino-American soldier and posthumously awarded him the fourth highest U.S. military award-the Bronze Star--for gallantry in action.
The US Army also awarded Maurice the Purple Heart, Army Commendation and Good Conduct medal during Friday's burial honor rites at the Clark Field Cemetery at the former US-run Clark Air Base in Angeles city, 80 kilometers north of Manila.
His weeping wife, mother and another relative clutched folded US flags as his coffin was lowered to the ground. Other family members clasped portraits of Fortune in his army uniform, while his Filipino friends said goodbye with a streamer that read: "Maurice we will miss you."
Soldiers played "Taps," served as pallbearers and gave a 21-gun salute.
Brig. Gen. Oscar Anderson, assistant division commander of the US Army's 1st Armored Division, a funeral honor guard from the 2nd ID, U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone, Philippine Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr., and members of Fortune's army division attended.
Only 25 years old, Maurice was born in the US and was raised in Angeles City. He was enlisted in the US Army in January 2001 after completing two years of college at the Angeles University Foundation.
Maurice is survived by his wife, his one-year-old daughter Moesha, two stepchildren, his father, retired US Airman Littleton John Fortune and mother Nida Fortune, all of Angeles City.
"My hope died. He is gone," his mother told reporters, her face streaked with tears.
Maurice's father said he is proud of his son for serving and giving up his life for his country.
US Navy Capt. Dennis Williams said people should respect the wishes of the family to maintain dignity, solemnity and peace of mind during this especially difficult time.
"We ask that media covering this event refrain from seeking interviews with the family members," Williams said. (With AP)
(November 20, 2004 issue)
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