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ME: VETS ATTEND FUNERAL FOR MARINE WHO DIED ALONE
06-21-2024

--SUPERS--
Thursday
Augusta, ME

:04
Donald Kozerow
Judge Advocate, Marine Corps League

:27
Phillip Dow
Chaplain, Maine Army National Guard


--VIDEO SHOWS--
sound with marine corps league spokesperson, video of procession, video of marines, veterans, and citizens at funeral, sound with maine national guard chaplain

--SCRIPT PROVIDED BY WABI--

86-YEAR-OLD GARY BROOKS PASSED AWAY IN A NURSING HOME IN MID-MAY WITH NO FAMILY OR FRIENDS BESIDE HIM.
TODAY, THE MARINE VETERAN WAS PUT TO REST AT MAINE'S VETERAN CEMETERY WTIH PLENTY OF FELLOW VETERANS AND BIKERS SURROUNDING HIM, MOST WHO DIDN'T KNOW BROOKS, FOR HIS FINAL GOODBYE.
KEENAN MILLS HAS MORE FROM AUGUSTA.

(PKG)

"We received a notice from our brothers down in Augusta that we had a Marine who passed with no family, and we wanted some presence at his funeral. So he being a brother, I'm here."
Through Facebook and other social media outlets, word got out quick about Brooks' passing. The community of the Marines, and the community in the state of Maine, proved that no one is ever alone.
"It really truly is amazing and it goes back to the testament of the brotherhood of the various service members and the various services and the understanding that being willing to put your life on the line for others, for folks that you may never meet, or never have met, cements a bond with folks. To be able to, even if you've never met them, to be able to know that you had something in common."
Being a veteran of the Marine Corps creates a rare bond that is truly one of a kind.
"Being a Marine is being a brotherhood. We're all brothers. I may not like you. In fact, I may think you're the worst person I've ever met in my life, but you're still my brother. So you're in the eagle, globe and anchor. You are my brother or my sister, and that's forever."
Many of the people that spoke and put on the ceremony, never met Brooks but see it as an honor to be a part of any veteran's service.
"One of the biggest frustrations is the fact that I have the opportunity to hear about folks that I know I would have truly enjoyed meeting, sitting down with over a cup of coffee, but being able to honor them in this time, to be able to preside over the committal, to be able to be with them as their remains are put away for one last time and placed is truly amazing. It's overwhelming."
Chaplain Dow mentions the power in the presence of people reinforces the fact that every veteran has an outlet for support.
"There's too many veterans of all the branches that are taking their life and that's been a push of mine, whenever I talk with folks, whether it's veterans or currently serving or family members, is to remind them that they aren't alone. There's always somebody that they can reach out to."
Keenan Mills, WABI TV 5 News, Augusta

--KEYWORD TAGS--
MAINE MILITARY VETERAN MARINE CORPS FUNERAL FALLEN SOLDIER BURIAL COMMUNITY
Footage
00:02:13
29.97 fps
High Definition

--SUPERS--
Thursday
Augusta, ME

:04
Donald Kozerow
Judge Advocate, Marine Corps League

:27
Phillip Dow
Chaplain, Maine Army National Guard


--VIDEO SHOWS--
sound with marine corps league spokesperson, video of procession, video of marines, veterans, and citizens at funeral, sound with maine national guard chaplain

--SCRIPT PROVIDED BY WABI--

86-YEAR-OLD GARY BROOKS PASSED AWAY IN A NURSING HOME IN MID-MAY WITH NO FAMILY OR FRIENDS BESIDE HIM.
TODAY, THE MARINE VETERAN WAS PUT TO REST AT MAINE'S VETERAN CEMETERY WTIH PLENTY OF FELLOW VETERANS AND BIKERS SURROUNDING HIM, MOST WHO DIDN'T KNOW BROOKS, FOR HIS FINAL GOODBYE.
KEENAN MILLS HAS MORE FROM AUGUSTA.

(PKG)

"We received a notice from our brothers down in Augusta that we had a Marine who passed with no family, and we wanted some presence at his funeral. So he being a brother, I'm here."
Through Facebook and other social media outlets, word got out quick about Brooks' passing. The community of the Marines, and the community in the state of Maine, proved that no one is ever alone.
"It really truly is amazing and it goes back to the testament of the brotherhood of the various service members and the various services and the understanding that being willing to put your life on the line for others, for folks that you may never meet, or never have met, cements a bond with folks. To be able to, even if you've never met them, to be able to know that you had something in common."
Being a veteran of the Marine Corps creates a rare bond that is truly one of a kind.
"Being a Marine is being a brotherhood. We're all brothers. I may not like you. In fact, I may think you're the worst person I've ever met in my life, but you're still my brother. So you're in the eagle, globe and anchor. You are my brother or my sister, and that's forever."
Many of the people that spoke and put on the ceremony, never met Brooks but see it as an honor to be a part of any veteran's service.
"One of the biggest frustrations is the fact that I have the opportunity to hear about folks that I know I would have truly enjoyed meeting, sitting down with over a cup of coffee, but being able to honor them in this time, to be able to preside over the committal, to be able to be with them as their remains are put away for one last time and placed is truly amazing. It's overwhelming."
Chaplain Dow mentions the power in the presence of people reinforces the fact that every veteran has an outlet for support.
"There's too many veterans of all the branches that are taking their life and that's been a push of mine, whenever I talk with folks, whether it's veterans or currently serving or family members, is to remind them that they aren't alone. There's always somebody that they can reach out to."
Keenan Mills, WABI TV 5 News, Augusta

--KEYWORD TAGS--
MAINE MILITARY VETERAN MARINE CORPS FUNERAL FALLEN SOLDIER BURIAL COMMUNITY
56381582
370DB7_Z556434MSS
}