Luke Zimmerman funeral services before burial at Arlington

CHAMPION — The tiny country church couldn't come close to providing enough space for all those who came to pay final respects to Marine Sgt. Luke Zimmerman on Saturday morning.

Zimmerman, 24, of the town of Green Bay was killed in action in Iraq Oct.27.

An estimated 150 people packed the Robinsonville Presbyterian Church for the funeral, with at least 30 standing in the back of the church. The service was piped outside for the benefit of about 30 uniformed veterans, 35 U.S. Marines and 26 members of the Patriot Guard Riders — the motorcycle group that sets up a perimeter at military funerals to shield mourners from protest groups, should any be present.

There were no protests but a good many tears and even a few chuckles, such as when a relative speaking from the lectern recalled Zimmerman's abortive attempts to play basketball as a boy.

Although basketball didn't work out for the young man, who went on to successful track and wrestling efforts, it was a testimonial to Zimmerman's eagerness to try everything and live life to the fullest, the relative said.

The ceremony opened with a bag-piper piping as the 35 Marines marched slowly into the church, past Zimmerman's coffin and out a side exit to the church. They took up station on the street and waited in the drizzle.

Gov. Jim Doyle was among those attending and had a front-row seat in the church.

Residents of a home nearby stepped out on their patio and watched and listened to the service as it was piped outdoors.

Pastor William Kamke gave a eulogy based on the letter's of Zimmerman's first name, with "L" standing for "loyalty," "U" standing for "unique," "K" for "kindness" and "E" for "energetic."

In acknowledgement of Zimmerman's ultimate sacrifice for his country and fellow Marines, Kamke quoted the Bible verse John 15:13 — "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

A light drizzle was falling as pall bearers brought out Zimmerman's flag-draped coffin, and a Marine Corps honor guard stepped up to ceremoniously fold the flag and present it to Zimmerman's mother, Claire Dombrowski. Another group of Marines fired a 21-gun salute in Zimmerman's honor, and a uniformed soldier played taps on a horn.

Zimmerman was the 66th Wisconsin resident to be killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. He will be buried Wednesday in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

From the Green Bay Press Gazette

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