Baptist Churches In Gastonia Nc

A fallen Marine returns to tears, love, respect

The bomb that killed Nicholas O'Brien severely injured his best friend and fire teammate, Lance Cpl. Josh Cawthorn of Asheville. Cawthorn is being treated in Bethesda Naval Hospital. O'Brien's family is asking that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Cawthorn so his family can be near while he's in the hospital. Send checks to Shady Brook Baptist Church, 2940 Belmeade Drive, Charlotte, NC 28214.

In the end, few listened to Marine Lance Cpl. Nicholas O'Brien.

The day he left for Afghanistan, he instructed his family not to cry over him if something bad happened.

On June 9, O'Brien was point man on foot patrol when an IED (improvised explosive device) blew up under him in the violent Helmand province in southern Afghanistan.

He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery next Tuesday.

And shortly after O'Brien's body was flown into Charlotte on Monday, the tears fell as six Marine pallbearers placed his flag-draped casket into a hearse. Later, there were more tears at a stirring memorial service in Gastonia, near his hometown of Stanley.

They cried for the boy with the brainy, "disproportionately big" head, who at East Gaston High won the Algebra II award as an 11th-grader, starred on its baseball and soccer teams - and who couldn't wait to get to Afghanistan to fight for his country.

"It is the human thing to weep and to grieve," said the Rev. George Sherman of Shady Brook Baptist Church , O'Brien's family church. "But there is a time to smile as you reflect."

The body arrived at Wilson Air Center in Charlotte. As it was transferred to a hearse, O'Brien's father, Richard, himself a former Marine, wrapped his arms around O'Brien's mother, Tammy, and his younger sister, 16-year-old Haley.

Dozens of law enforcement cars and hundreds of Patriot Guard motorcycle riders escorted the family and casket.

Along the way, hundreds lined U.S. 74, waving flags and holding signs of thanks to O'Brien.

Bob Bradley and Walt Thompson, both former Marines, held a sign with big letters: "SEMPER FI," the shortened motto of the Marines.

Just outside Belmont, Diana Shipman of Gastonia brought her daughters, Katelyn, 10, and Kamryn, 7, to pay respects. "I wanted them to see that people do honor and respect the military," Shipman said. "This young man gave his life for this country."

And John Hayes, 63, sat in Monday's swelter in Gastonia, dressed in his former Marine dress blues. "I wore it to show my respect for the uniform and this kid who died way too young," Hayes said. "He was just a kid.

Controversial Church To Protest Marine's Memorial Service ...

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