Robert Secher laid to rest

As the autumn breeze carried the melancholy notes of "Taps" across the cemetery, the community bid farewell Sunday to the smiling soldier.

Marines, other military and family members gathered for a final slow, smooth, respectful salute to the life of Marine Capt. Robert Michael Secher of Germantown, the latest Shelby County resident to die in the Iraq Conflict.

In services at Temple Israel and the ensuing full military burial at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, Secher, whose desire to be a Marine was so fierce that he entered boot
camp at 17, was remembered for his friendship, dedication, loyalty and love of family and the Marine Corps.

"Robert was the best friend you could ever have," Rabbi Micah Greenstein told those gathered at Temple Israel.

Secher, 33, died Oct. 8 when a sniper's bullet struck him during a battle in Iraq's Anbar Province. He was home in September, but returned to a war where the enemy, he told his family, had become more aggressive and more organized.

The family learned of his death after leaving Temple Israel and arriving at the home of his father, Dr. H. Pierre Secher.

Two Marines were there, waiting with the devastating news.

During Sunday's service at Temple Israel, military colleagues spoke of the man who became known as the smiling soldier to his family because, despite the conflict in Iraq, he wore a smile in the pictures he sent home.

Between remembrances, the captain's sister, Margaret Matthes, led the mourners in patriotic songs -- "God Bless America" and "America the Beautiful."

"As proud as Robert was of his family, his family was even prouder of him," Rabbi Greenstein said.

The speakers remembered him as a warrior, a gentleman, and enough of a physical fitness buff that his fellow Marines called him "a machine."

"Rob was a leader of men," said Maj. Joe Russo, one of the Marines who spoke. "He led by example. He marched to the sounds of the guns and continually asked to get himself into the fight."

The most emotional remembrance came from Navy Lt. Wayne Hill, who had known Secher for more than 10 years. He was so close to the fallen Marine that his kids called Secher uncle.

"We know he was a hero," Hill said, his voice cracking. "To me, he was a brother. ... He was my best friend."

Law enforcement officers from Memphis, Shelby County and Germantown helped escort the procession to the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on Forest Hill-Irene. At the entrance, a flag hung from the top of the Germantown Fire Department's aerial truck.

There, Secher received a 21-gun salute. Military personnel, both active and retired, stood at attention as the fallen Marine's casket went by.

In the background, flags waved at half-staff. The family was presented flags as other mourners wiped away tears.

And as the family gathered at the grave site and others made their way out of the cemetery, one woman quietly put the life of Capt. Robert Michael Secher in perspective:

"He was one helluva man," she said as she got into her car.

Read the rest at the Memphis Commercial Appeal

Related Link:
Robert Secher slain by sniper