A Marine's Marine: Brothers-in-arms, family, friends say goodbye

[darrels joy]

A Marine's Marine: Brothers-in-arms, family, friends say goodbye
Submitted by: MCAGCC
Story Identification #: 2004823231959
Story by Sgt. Jennie Haskamp



MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 12, 2004) -- Torrents of rain came just minutes after the graveside services were completed here, Aug 12.

"God just opened heaven for him," said one mourner, staring up into the dark clouds shrouding the cemetery. "Now he's home."

Hundreds of mourners attended the Florida funeral and burial services of Gunnery Sgt. Elia P. Fontecchio, Kilo Company gunnery sergeant, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines.

Fontecchio, a Milford, Mass., native was killed on patrol in Iraq's Al Anbar Province Aug. 4.
Along with his wife, Kinney, and his 2-and-a-half-year-old son, Elia, Fontecchio, is survived by his parents, Dennis and Cindy of Satellite Beach, Fla., as well as three sisters and their families.

At the Aug. 11 wake, friends and family waited in line for nearly an hour to pay their respects to the man who'd touched their lives in so many ways.

Amidst the tears and whispers were quiet bouts of laughter as friends and family from Massachusetts, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, New Mexico, California and other spots across the nation shared stories about Fontecchio.

Marines who'd served with Fontecchio during his 12-year career came to pay their respects and share their stories of the man they loved as well.

"This is not OK," said longtime friend Greg Hoesing, looking at the flag-draped casket sitting in front of the church. "Elia is my friend. He was a great husband, amazing father and an outstanding Marine, and this is not OK."

Hoesing, who served alongside Fontecchio in 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, shared stories of Fontecchio's enormous love for his wife and young son as well as his family, his friends and his Marines.

He laughed through his tears, talking about his friend's tendency to play practical jokes, and implored everyone listening to ensure they appreciate why his friend died.

"He died for your freedom and for mine," said the former Marine and bodybuilder, gripping the podium, fighting tears. "Don't let his death be in vain."

Unable to attend the services were the Marines and Sailors of 3/7 still patrolling the border Iraq shares with Syria.

They were represented in a eulogy given by Capt. Buster O'Brien, Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., who served with Fontecchio in Weapons Company, 3/7, during Operation Iraqi Freedom 1.

"I'm speaking here today on behalf of Gunny's brothers in 3/7," started O'Brien, fighting back tears. "I can tell you that though there are many of them here today, the vast majority could not be here-for they are paying their respect to their beloved Gunny by going back out on patrol and doing their job the way he taught them to-with courage, competence, discipline and, when necessary, a smile."

O'Brien, like those who spoke before him at Saint Sebastian's by the Sea in Melbourne Beach, shared stories depicting "Gunny"' as an incredible mentor, teacher, father, husband, friend and Marine.

The thing that made O'Brien's speech stand out were the words, penned by Fontecchio himself, weeks before his death and given to his friend and fellow Marine in Iraq, Capt. Jeremy Graczyk.

"I loved every one of you," Fontecchio wrote in a letter to be read in the event of his death. "You will forever be my brothers in arms."

Before he finished, and fighting for composure, O'Brien addressed young Elia, sitting in the pew next to his mother.

"Elia first of all, we'll have time later on to talk about your Daddy, and we will," he said, tears flowing again. "But today please know that your Daddy was truly a courageous warrior. We were overseas in combat, and at least once a day he took out pictures of you and said, 'Come on, you gotta admit it, is he the cutest kid you've ever seen?' He was so proud of you. You were literally the pride of his existence. He will always be with you. And whenever you need anything, just call on one of Gunny's brothers-in-arms."

MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla.-Captain Buster O'Brien presents Kinney Fontecchio, widow of Gunnery Sgt. Elia P. Fontecchio, Kilo Co, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, with a Purple Heart at his funeral Aug. 12. Her husband was killed in action Aug. 4 while on patrol in Iraq'a Al Anbar province. His 2-and-a-half-year-old son, Elia, insisted on wearing his 'chocolate chip cammies' complete with Fontecchio nametapes and gunnery sergeant chevrons to the funeral services held here. Photo by: Sgt. Jennie Haskamp