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Nigerian-born soldier, Onwordi, for burial today
From Laolu Akande, New York

JUSTIN Onwordi, the Nigerian who died in Iraq fighting in the United States
(U.S.) Army goes "home" today in full military colours and honours. The
burial
rites include wrapping his casket with the U.S. flag and a 21-gun salute.
Last
weekend in Mesa, Arizona at the St. Timothy Catholic Community Church, the
Onwordis held a memorial service. Onwordi's senior brother, Uzor, and mother
are
both based in Arizona, and The Guardian learnt that their community has been
very supportive since news broke of the death of the American soldier.

The other soldier who died with Onwordi was also based in Arizona.  Sources
close to the family said the communities in Arizona have risen to the
challenge
of helping the Onwordi family in several ways including setting up a fund in
honour of Justin and to support the family in this time of need.  At the
memorial service over the weekend, reports say several hundreds were in
attendance, even though many had never actually met Justin. His brother Uzor
is
however much more known as a Physical Fitness Trainer who features on the
local
television and runs a popular fitness centre.

Support has also come to the family from the leading politicians in Arizona,
including top officials such as Senator John McCain, a former presidential
candidate and another U.S. Congressman, Jeff Flake, both of the Republican
Party.  Both U.S. lawmakers, according to sources intervened in the
application
of Justin's sister, Jacqueline, for travel visa from Lagos to the U.S.
Before
the intervention of the congressmen, there were concerns in the Onwordi
family
in Arizona on whether Jacqueline would be able to make the memorial and
funeral
services. Through the congressmen's intervention, Jacqueline got a visa and
is
already in the U.S. Sources said the burial event was delayed to enable
Jacqueline attend.

Major Shawn Jirik, a U.S. Army spokesperson, confirmed to The Guardian that
a
full military burial is being planned for Justin.  According to Shawn, it
was
normally up to the family to request for how much involvement they wanted
the
U.S. military to have in the burial since it is essentially a private affair
of
the family.  She confirmed that there would be in attendance a U.S. Army
General, which, according to her, is evidence of the appreciation of the
U.S. to
Onwordi's contribution to America.
She disclosed further that Brig.-Gen. Elder Granger would be representing
the
U.S. military at the burial. Gen. Granger is the Commanding General, 44th
Medical Command, Corps Surgeon XVIII Airborne Corps Fort Bragg, North
Carolina.
Major Sirik also said another element of military honours would be the
handing
over of the U.S. flag, which would be used to drape Justin's casket, over to
his
family after the funeral.

Other military honours that would take place at Justin Onwordi's funeral
according to Major Shawn include the 21-gun salute by the weapon squad and
the
use of military pall-bearers. In addition, a military chaplain would
officiate
at the interment ceremony after the church service, which comes up at the
Mount
Lawn Memorial Park. A wake would precede the final rites Wednesday evening
at
7.00 p.m. at the church in Raleigh, North Carolina.  The burial is to be
held in
Raleigh, North Carolina, where Justin Onwordi's wife, Monique is based, and
where in all probability his infant son Jonathan would be raised. The
service is
billed for 11.00 a.m. at the Upper Room Church of God in Christ and a large
crowd is said to be expected.

Justin Onwordi's body was flown back to the U.S. from Iraq and first taken
to
the U.S. military morgue in Delaware where an autopsy was said to have been
conducted to ascertain the cause of death. A formal investigation on the
circumstances of his death is also said to be in progress.  Commenting on
Onwordi's contribution to the U.S., a leading Nigerian-American, Prof.
Bolaji
Aluko, said it is gratifying that we have on record a Nigerian dying for the
cause of America.  Said he: "We do not know how many Nigerians died in
Vietnam
fighting for the U.S. or how many died on September 11 at the Twin Towers of
New
York, but we surely know this one who died in September 11's aftermath,
which
Iraq is."  Aluko, son of the renowned economist, Prof. Sam Aluko, observed
that
"Onwordi paid the ultimate sacrifice - representing Nigerians and
Nigerian-Americans who are contributing daily to the economy of the U.S. in
many
more ways than we are usually given credit for."`
© 2003 - 2004 @ Guardian Newspapers Limited (All Rights Reserved).

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