** Please visit our website: http://www.africanassociation.org ** 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). _________________________________________________________________ Get ready for school! 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