Marine Pvt. Edwardo J. Lopez, 21, of Aurora, Ill.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; died Oct. 19 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq.
There were scenes of finality this week in many towns, where the turned cemetery dirt was still fresh, or where burial ceremonies were being planned inside funeral homes.
In Aurora, Ill., on Monday, American flags held by volunteers snapped in a brisk wind outside San Pablo Lutheran Church as mourners said farewell to Marine sniper Edwardo "Eddy" J. Lopez, 21. Lopez, a lance corporal, had survived duty in Afghanistan but was killed Oct. 19 during combat in the insurgent stronghold of Al Anbar province.
Before he left for Iraq, Lopez had come to the church of his childhood to hear one final service. Afterward, he sought out the Rev. Alex Merlo and asked for his blessing.
"He said: 'If something happens to me, if I die in war, take me back to our church. Make sure I get home,' " Merlo recalled.
The reverend kept his promise. Lopez was back at San Pablo on Monday, inside a flag-draped casket.
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