Updated at 3:24 p.m., Thursday, August 2, 2007
Hawaii-based Marine killed in combat honored at funeral
Associated Press
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Lance Cpl. Robert A. Lynch, of Jefferson, Ky., was killed July 24 in Diyala province, along with two other Marines, during an operation against a Sunni insurgent stronghold.
A wind snapped through a row of American flags held by mourners, relatives, colleagues and friends who came to pay final tributes to Lynch at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery. Bagpipers played "Amazing Grace," buglers played "Taps" and fellow service members fired a 21-gun salute as mourners gathered in the heat.
Family members have said the 20-year-old Lynch was eager to join the military right out of high school.
Lynch's brother Michael spoke at the funeral, saying he had doubts about his brother making it through Marine boot camp.
"But he proved me wrong," Michael Lynch said.
The motorcade from the service was approximately a mile long.
Police shut down the freeway as the motorcade made its way toward the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery.
A motorcycle group called the Patriot Guard Riders, made up of bikers and veterans, stood outside the church before the service.
Lynch was an engineer equipment mechanic assigned to 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, base officials said Thursday.
He joined the Marine Corps in May 2006 and reported to Hawaii in January. He deployed to Iraq in March.
Lynch was buried at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville.
