Michael Oremus laid to rest

HIGHLAND - This small community came together Wednesday for the third time in just over three years to bid farewell to a local son lost in Iraq.

Pfc. Michael Oremus, 21, was laid to rest during a morning service at Highland Cemetery.

"In the midst of our terrible grief, we also remember this simple truth: Michael Oremus was a hero," said Rabbi William Strongin, who officiated at the graveside ceremony.

Oremus - a member of the 57th Military Police Company, 8th Military Police Brigade of the U.S. Army - was killed by sniper fire Oct. 2 while responding to an explosion in Baghdad. On Wednesday, about 200 friends, relatives and military personnel gathered at the cemetery to pay their respects to Oremus.

Oremus was the third Highland resident to die in the Iraq war. Eugene Williams, 24, a U.S. Army sergeant with the 3rd Infantry Division, was killed by a suicide car bombed on March, 29, 2003. Doron Chan, 20, a specialist in the Army Reserves, died in a Humvee accident on March 18, 2004.

"All three of them have been great kids," said town of Lloyd Supervisor Robert Shepard. "It certainly is a waste." Highland is a hamlet within Lloyd's borders.

Oremus was three months into a yearlong deployment in Iraq at the time of his death.

Lloyd Police directed mourners through the one-lane roads of the cemetery as they approached the gravesite. Many saluted as the casket Oremus' casket was brought to his final resting place.

The politics of the controversial war were evident at the cemetery - a bumper stick on a car in the funeral procession proclaimed "Proud to be an American Against the War" - but relatives stayed focused on their lost loved one.

"Politics and the war aside, Michael died for all of us," said Nick Baker, a cousin of Oreums. "We must never forget that."

Baker said Oremus was the younger brother he never had and a tough act to follow because of his brains and athleticism, as well as the respect he had in the community.

Relatives said that while dealing with Oremus' death is difficult, they will always remember lives that he saved.

Servicemen in Iraq who sent messages that were read at the cemetery called Oremus a brother and recalled his sense of humor.

Peter Harris, who coached Oremus on the Highland High School soccer team, recalled Oremus' skill and dedication on the field.

"He had what his brothers had passed on to him: the ability to dance on top of the ball with grace and ease," Harris said.

Oremus graduated from Highland in 2002.

The full military honors at Oremus' funeral included a 21-gun salute and an officer playing taps on a bugle. The Army bestowed the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge to the family on Oremus' behalf. Oremus' mother, Madeline Oremus-Palmese, was overcome with grief as a serviceman presented her with the flag from her son's coffin.

Strongin consoled the mourners by saying grief is natural and acceptable when a person dies young but that it should not linger for too long.

"We shall not hide our grief, but prolonged sorrow is not self-reflective," the rabbi said. "In time, we must accept their death."

Highland High School will host a memorial service for Oremus on Oct. 20 at a time to be announced.

From the Daily Freeman

Related Link:
Michael Oremus slain by sniper