Michael Oremus remembered

HIGHLAND — The smiling faces slipped by, one after another: a beaming boy, a kid at Disney, a soccer player, a soldier, a son.

The life of Highland native Michael Oremus was celebrated Friday in pictures set in part to the Toby Keith song "American Soldier," in stories and in speeches as the small Ulster County community gathered to mourn another young soldier killed in Iraq.

"He was my hero, my wingman, my best friend, my cousin," Nicky Baker told the several hundred people in the Highland High School auditorium. "I wish every time I shook Mikey's hand that I had hugged him."

Tears flowed freely at the public memorial for U.S. Army Cpl. Oremus, 21, who was killed Oct. 2 by a sniper in Baghdad. Oremus served with the 57th Military Police Company, 8th Military Police Brigade, out of Seoul, South Korea. He was three months into a yearlong deployment in Iraq.

It's the third time Terry Elia of American Legion Post No. 193 in the Town of Lloyd has organized such a community memorial service since the war in Iraq began.

Army Sgt. Eugene Williams and Army Spc. Doran Chan were killed in Iraq in March 2003 and March 2004, respectively.

"Let's hope we're not here again in the future," Elia said.

Known for his bright smile and uplifting ways, Oremus was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

A passionate soccer player, the 2002 Highland High School graduate and Dutchess Community College student was well known in the local soccer community, said his teammate and coach, Peter Harris.

"He had charisma and a sense of humor that made so many feel accepted and welcome," Harris said.

Harris and five of Oremus' teammates presented his family with a framed jersey Michael wore while he played at Highland High School. They also announced an alumni soccer game, set for Nov. 12, to raise funds for the Cpl. Michael Oremus Scholarship Fund, to benefit a Highland student.

Baker choked back tears as he thanked the community for their support since Oremus' death.

"Michael bled blue and gold," he said, noting the Highland school colors. "He loved his school, his town and it's clear by the outpouring of support my family and I have received that you loved him as well."

A proclamation was presented to the family by Ulster County legislators Elizabeth Alfonso and Wayne Harris. State Assemblyman Tom Kirwan, R-Newburgh, recalled when his older cousin was killed in action in 1944.

State Sen. William Larkin, R-New Windsor, a veteran himself, shared with the crowd what he heard about Oremus at a recent military reunion.

"He could make the devil smile," Larkin said.

Oremus' mother, Madeline Oremus-Palmese of Kerhonkson, thanked the Highland community.

"I spoke to him actually, the day before he died," she said. "He was so happy, so upbeat. It gives me great comfort to know that Michael was doing a job he loved to do.

"I pray all our soldiers can come home and nobody has to go through all of this," she said.

From the Poughkeepsie Journal

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