Donald Brown laid to rest

RANDOLPH -- Pfc. Donald Brown accepted Jesus when he was 7 years old.

His pastor, Jim Magnus of the Maranatha Baptist Church in Succasunna, said the 19-year-old Marine's acceptance came easily due to his upbringing.

"I believe his mom and dad set a pretty good example about what it means to love the lord," Magnus told an audience of more than 300 gathered for Brown's funeral on Thursday night at Bethlehem Church.

Brown was one of three servicemen killed on Oct. 25 by a roadside bomb in Haditha, Iraq.

Brown's closed casket rested in front of the altar, covered by a red Marine Corps flag and surrounded by flowers and an elegant portrait of Brown in his dress blues.

Prior to the service, the casket constantly was flanked by two uniformed Marines, sentinels who stood by their fallen brother.

Bradley Magnus, Jim's son and Brown's friend, told the grieving audience that his best times with Brown were when the two attended services. He said they both were deeply religious, but also liked to play around when the opportunity presented itself.

"It was a great time," said Bradley Magnus, 20. "I loved to spend time with Donny, especially in church."

Magnus and Donald Callahan, 19, Brown's friend from Roxbury High School's Class of 2005, shared stories of their short lifetimes spent with Brown.

Bradley Magnus concluded his remarks by telling the audience that Brown loved his country so much that he was willing to die for it.

"How many people can actually say that?" Magnus asked.

"They got to die for what they believe in. I'll never forget Donald Brown. He was one of my best friends."

Callahan told tales of Brown's lighter side; how he always went out of his way to make people happy.

"He never did get his license -- for that matter, I don't think he ever got his permit," Callahan told the audience, which laughed along with some of the recollections.

Callahan also spoke of the time they entered a beach volleyball competition at the Jersey Shore. They didn't win one game, and were so sore afterward that they couldn't move for days.

"We are told that our God is one of compassion," said Callahan, later adding, "I know that God is crying with us. I also know that Don is rejoicing in heaven right now."

Callahan got choked up as he bid his friend goodbye.

"Donald Brown, the best friend I've ever had," Callahan said. "I'll see you in heaven."

Don's brother Kenneth Brown, 23, a Marine sergeant who completed three tours of duty in Iraq, read a Bible passage after Brown's buddies spoke.

That was followed by Don's father, Philip, Kenneth and his brother, Joshua, 27, and Philip's brother Daniel Brown, all taking to the altar for an ensemble singing of "Calvary Covers It All."

Several local and state politicians stopped at the church prior to the service to meet Brown's family.

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., and U.S. Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, R-Harding, attended during the first hour of the viewing, while Gov. Jon Corzine arrived a short time later.

Corzine, in a brief interview outside of the church, said he's been to about 20 of these services during his time in the Senate and as governor.

"(I said) just what one human being would say to another," Corzine said solemnly and quietly. "I expressed my condolences. Like everyone, we pray for them."

Brown's family members -- including his mother, Annette, his father, his two brothers, and his sister, Michele Riera, 28, greeted mourners for 31/2 hours prior to the service.

Mount Olive resident Megan Robinson, to whom Brown was engaged, also attended.

A Roxbury fire engine, with its ladder extended straight to the sky with an enormous, billowing American flag affixed to it, was parked on Route 10 next to the church during the daylight viewing hours.

Brown joined the Marines in September 2005 and was deployed to Iraq this September. He was in line for promotion to lance corporal on Wednesday.

He was a riflemen assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Brown moved to Succasunna in 2000 from Sterling Heights, Mich., and lived in Syracuse, N.Y., prior to that.

His parents said their son was set on becoming a Marine after Kenneth joined.

Roxbury High School educators there said the young man always dreamed of joining the Marines, and wore Marine T-shirts to school.

Dennis Mack and Ed Hade, the district's superintendent and assistant superintendent, respectively, attended along with school board President Dolores McCleerey.

Roxbury Mayor Martin Schmidt, and Councilman Richard Zoschak also attended.

The service ended when six Marines removed the Marine Corps flag from the casket only to shroud it with an American flag.

They escorted Donald Brown out of the church to a hearse, which carried the fallen Marine to a private burial service in New York.

Gene Russo, a Korean War veteran and member of American Legion Post 421 in East Hanover, sounded taps on his trumpet as the Marines walked by.

From the Daily Record

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