Community gathers to bury its hero

Military and firefighters join in procession

By TOM KANE

NARROWSBURG, NY — At the burial of Narrowsburg’s native son, Army Specialist Anthony A. Kaiser, more was learned about the details of his March 17 death from Brigadier General Rodney L. Johnson.

“He and a group of MPs engaged some insurgents in a market place in Balad, Iraq,” Johnson said. “He was a gunner and was able to kill four of the insurgents before he himself was mortally wounded. None of the other Americans were injured, just him. He was part of the 571st Military Police Company out of Fort Lewis, Washington.”

Johnson, who is the Provost Marshal of the entire U. S. Army, came from Washington, DC to honor Kaiser and present the award of a Bronze Star with Valor Against the Enemy as well as the Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Other awards won by Kaiser include the National Defense Service Ribbon, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Johnson was accompanied by a detail of soldiers from the West Point Military Academy who acted as pall-bearers and riflemen at the burial site.

“MPs are heavily engaged in Iraq since we are nation-building and are training a native police force in Iraq,” Johnson said.

Johnson and a phalanx of firemen, veterans, police, friends and neighbors stood at silent attention as the body of Kaiser was ceremoniously delivered to the church of St. Francis Xavier in Narrowsburg on the morning of March 27.

Crowds of mourners and firefighters lined the road along Route 52 as the cortege passed under a mammoth American flag which was unfurled in front of the Narrowsburg Fire House between two ladder trucks from the Callicoon and Monticello fire companies. Because Kaiser was a firefighter, representatives of 15 area fire companies attended his funeral.

A contingent of motorcycle riders from the groups Rolling Thunder and Patriot Patrol was also on hand, with their bikes parked in front of the Narrowsburg School building.

“When you hear about the war on television or read about it in newspapers, it doesn’t strike as deeply as when you see the effect on a local family and a community,” said Angela Daley, a resident of Narrowsburg.

The body of SPC Kaiser was greeted at the door of the church by the pastor Rev. William Scully, OFM who also presided at the Requiem Mass and the final interment.

“We welcome you one last time into this, your church and the church of your family,” Scully said over the casket.

Interment was in the St. Francis Xavier Church cemetery in Narrowsburg.