Myles Sebastien laid to rest

Friends, family members and fellow Marines of Lance Corporal Myles Sebastien completely filled the Lafond Ardoin Funeral Home chapel Saturday morning to say goodbye.

Sebastien, 21, of Opelousas, was St. Landry Parish's third serviceman to die in the Iraq War when he was killed last week 60 miles outside of Baghdad.

At the funeral, mourners filled every pew in the small chapel, and others stood along the walls, including members of the Acadiana Marine Corps League, each dressed in bright red uniforms.

"Myles gave his life, so you and I can continue to live in peace and solitude," said the Rev. Jefferson DeBlanc, one of two clergymen who conducted the services. "We trust that we will see Myles again and enjoy his company. Love is stronger than death, as the Old Testament tells us."
Sebastien's coffin was draped with a large American flag. Burning candles and flower arrangements surrounded the coffin. A large portrait of Sebastien in his Marine Corps uniform was on display at the altar as well as smaller framed photographs of Sebastien as a child. A crucifix hung above Sebastien's coffin.

The funeral included a full Catholic mass conducted by DeBlanc, of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, and the Rev. John P. Smith of Episcopal Church of the Epiphany.

Throughout the service, the two clergymen tried to console friends and family members with scripture readings and reminders that their fallen loved one is now with God. They described Sebastien as a brave, intelligent, unselfish person who put God, his family and his country first in his life.

Smith shared comforting anecdotes with the gathered mourners about Sebastien's intelligence, generosity and sense of humor. He said Sebastien could not help but love children in Iraq, despite the risk that their parents could be terrorists. He said Sebastien would sometimes toss Jolly Ranchers candy out of his humvee to the children on the street.

"Myles' life was short in quantity, but long on quality," Smith said.

Because of Saturday's bad weather, Sebastien's burial was postponed until a later time in the day, but the burial ceremony took place inside the chapel. Marine Corps representatives shot guns outside the funeral home, and "Taps" was played to honor the fallen serviceman.

His family was also presented with a Purple Heart, awarded to Sebastien by President George W. Bush two days after his death.

On Dec. 20, Sebastien was killed when a rocket-propelled grenade hit the humvee he was riding in. The United States Marine Corps have not released details about Sebastien's death because his wife, Kelie Arnaud Sebastien, has chosen to keep this information private.

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