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A U.S. Marine Corps guard stood by the flag-draped casket of his fallen brother.
A new guard was rotated into the important post every 20 minutes, with an exchange of slow-time salutes.
Lance Cpl. David Keith Fribley's grief-stricken family waited under a massive American flag to accept condolences from the long line of mourners who gathered Tuesday in Warsaw Community High School gym to honor the fallen Marine.
Every branch of the military was represented. A contingent from the North Webster American Legion Post 253 saluted the coffin where the hero lay.
Fribley lost his life March 23, 2003, in An Nasiriyah, Iraq, as a member of the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. The Marines walked into a trap when Iraqi troops faked a surrender and fired on the American unit. The SAW gunner from Atwood and eight others were killed in the skirmish. Fribley was the first casualty from Indiana.
The 1996 WCHS graduate was a noted athlete, earning honors on the gridiron and in track and field events.
He joined the Marines in May 2002.
Almost 1,000 people were seated as the Rev. Gene Ansell began funeral services, reading from John 11:25-26. Jim Gilmer sang "Amazing Grace."
Tom Faircloth, a representative of the Kappa Alpha Order's national administrative office, talked about the first time he met Fribley, a fraternity brother at Indiana State University.
ISU's Kappa Alpha, being too poor to put the dignitary up in a hotel, had him room with Fribley, who graciously gave the older man the bottom bunk. A friendship was struck between the two men, "transcending age," Faircloth said.
"Fribley embodied Kappa Alpha's motto - excellence. He was always a gentleman. He was a gentle man," Faircloth said.
He quoted a letter of farewell Fribley wrote to fellow nursing home employees in Florida, saying it was a privilege to wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. "I will strive for excellence in all that I do," the young Marine wrote.
A member of U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh's office read from the Congressional Record honoring Fribley and presented a copy of the document to his parents, Garry and Linda Fribley.
Ansell called the young man's death an unexpected turn in life.
Quoting from a letter Fribley sent to his parents, which they received after his death, Ansell said, "'Right now, I know I'm where I should be.'"
"How do we invest our lives in worthy causes?" the reverend asked, indicating men like David Fribley always show the way.
The indoor funeral services ended with a recording of "God Bless the USA," written and sung by Lee Greenwood.
When Greenwood's voice sang the words from the second stanza, "And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today," hundreds of mourners rose instinctively to their feet in silent tribute. Tears fell to the floor or were wiped away as the song continued.
The casket left the gym with a Marine escort; the family and visitors followed behind.
The 10-mile route from Warsaw to the Etna Green Cemetery took an hour.
Chaplain William Pain presided at the graveside. The U.S. Navy Lt. Commander said Fribley had dedicated himself to a life of honor and dignity.
From the hilltop, a bugler from the Kokomo Veterans of Foreign Wars' burial detail played "Taps" as a U.S. Navy sailor stood at attention by his side. Martin Becker, former band director at WCHS, answered with a haunting echo from another part of the cemetery.
Bidding their brother farewell, a U.S. Marine contingent fired a 21-gun salute.
Marines concluded the solemn ceremony by presenting to Linda Fribley the newly folded flag that had shrouded her son's casket.
"On behalf of the president and a grateful nation ..."
