Both war and peacetime veterans came together today to honor a local Marine that none of them knew.
Corby Ward Jr., 77, died in a nursing home in August. He is survived by his sister, Shirley Ward Cribb and her husband Jerry.
Angela Norris and the Veterans Memorial Park stepped up to help when Norris found out through Cribb that no plans were made for a service, and Ward would be buried in another county.
“He needed to come home.” she said.
Originally, Norris just planned to have a small service at Whiteville Memorial park at Peacock’s Funeral Home in Whiteville. As word spread, however, veterans groups and others got involved.
Kyle Peacock said the funeral home was proud to help.
“We always 150 percent support our military,” he said.
The Patriot Guard Riders provided their flag lines around the plot. Members of the Combat Vet Association,Leathernecks Motorcycle Club, Military Vet Riders Association, Buffalo Soldiers and Inner Demons rolled in on their motorcycles. Representatives of the State and Local Veterans of Foreign Wars, America Legion, and Marine Corps League were also there to honor Ward.
Rev. Pete Cribb provided the eulogy, where he noted that an uncle helped evacuate Ward after his unit was involved in intense fighting. Ward was forced to pretend to be dead when their position was overrun. When reinforcements arrived to recover the dead Marines they found Ward still alive but seriously wounded, and he was flown out on a helicopter piloted by his cousin.
“His work here is done,” Rev. Cribb said. “He doesn’t have to fight any more.”
Jefferson Weaver led the audience in singing Amazing Grace. All the veterans in attendance filed past the casket and saluted Ward a final time as the honor guard folded the flag and presented it to Mrs. Cribb. After Taps and a 21-gun salute, a closing prayer was given by Marcia-McMullen House for Heroes.
Although it wasn’t arranged, a Marine Corps Osprey aircraft passed over the graveside. The aircraft was practicing touch and go landings at Columbus Airport.
“We appreciate everyone who turned out to honor Mr. Ward,” Norris said. “People who didn’t even know him were here to show their respects. All our veterans deserve the same appreciation.”
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