Goodbye to a fallen hero

By Tom Grace
Cooperstown News Bureau

March 04, 2009 02:41 pm

— Photo Gallery

EDMESTON _ Hundreds of people, many moved to tears, packed the gymnasium at Edmeston Central School on Tuesday to say goodbye to Cpl. Michael L. Mayne, son of Lee and Cathy Mayne of Burlington Flats.

Mayne, 21, was one of three American soldiers killed Feb. 23 while on patrol in Balad, Iraq, about 50 miles northeast of Baghdad.

A 2006 ECS graduate, Mayne enlisted about 21/2 years ago and served with the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, which had been stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, until late September.

He grew up in Burlington Flats, and at his funeral, he was remembered as fun-loving, generous and committed to his friends, family and country. He owned a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a Dodge Ram pickup truck, and when he was driving or riding, you could hear him coming for quite a distance, according to his minister, the Rev. Jay Henderson.

Mayne's flag-covered casket arrived at the school just before 11 a.m. and was met by a contingent of law-enforcement officers. An honor guard from Fort Drum escorted the casket to the front of the gymnasium, where a video showing Mayne's Eagle Scout project _ six flags waving in tribute to American military services _ played high on the wall.

In the back of the room were members of the Patriot Guard Riders, motorcycle riders who come to soldiers' funerals when invited by families.

``We come to show our sincere respect for fallen heroes,'' said Bill Schaaf, senior ride captain from Troy.

About a dozen members of this group held large American flags along a walkway in the center of the gym, while interspersed among the folding chairs and bleachers were scores of smaller flags distributed by Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.

The overflow crowd, estimated at about 1,500 by The Associated Press, was welcomed by Joan Terry of Edmeston's Houk-Johnston-Terry Funeral Home, then Mayne's classmates and good friends, Thomas Tophoven and Anthony DeGristina, introduced the speakers.

Scott Brady, camp director at Henderson Scout Reservation in the town of Maryland, noted that Mayne was on staff there by the time he was 15.

Helpful to those younger than he, Mayne was well-respected by his elders.

``We all stood up a little straighter when standing next to him,'' Brady said.

Mayne was an avid worker.

``When I asked Mike to clean up the camp, he never once said to me, `Why can't someone else do this?''' Brady said.

Brian Long, Mayne's scoutmaster at Troop 9, met the young man in 1999 when Mayne attended his first Scout meeting.

On Tuesday, Long recalled an outing to the Clark Gymnasium in Cooperstown, where Mayne overcame his fear of rope climbing. He also spoke of Mayne's Eagle Scout project, the flags at Memorial Park in Burlington Flats, which now fly at half-staff in his honor.

Being with Mayne was a joy on campouts, his scoutmaster noted.

``There were his little songs at breakfast. His ability, or should I say, nonability, to sing really sticks with us,'' said Long, and many in the large room chuckled, having heard these ditties.

Staff Sgt. Matthew Burns, Mayne's section leader, called him ``a true hero and a great friend.''

While in Iraq, Mayne would sing for his comrades as they rode down the road, Burns said.

``He did it to make people happy,'' he said.

Mayne's untimely death is cause to grieve, but ``Michael would want us to laugh and celebrate his life,'' Burns said.

Sherry Hawes, Mayne's sister, said her family has been torn apart by the loss, yet she is extremely proud of her brother.

``My hero wore combat boots,'' she said. ``His favorite color was red, but later that changed to camo(uflage).''

With a merry smile and quick wit, Mayne glided through social engagements that would have halted many others, she noted.

``There was the time he took six girls to the prom,'' she said.

Then she quoted one of his favorite phrases: ``Well, that don't make her a bad girl.''

Hawes said her brother lived by the U.S. soldiers' creed, and asked soldiers in the room to join her in reciting it, which they did.

Brig. Gen. Patrick Finnegan of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point said Mayne had served to help bring peace and stability to the people of Iraq. He did his duty well, and though his death brings sadness, it also evokes powerful memories of good times, Finnegan said.

The general noted that a painting near Omaha Beach in France, where thousands of American soldiers had died on D-day, is inscribed: ```Think not only upon their passing. Remember the glory of their spirit.''

Finnegan presented Mayne's family with his awards, which include the Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, an Iraqi Service Ribbon and a Global War on Terrorism Medal.

State Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, said Mayne's flag project will remind others of his community spirit and sacrifice.

``I've always thought Burlington Flats did Memorial Day right,'' he said.

But now, he said, Mayne's flag memorial _ ``a lasting legacy to Cpl. Mayne's life'' _ will give the day new meaning.

In his eulogy, Henderson said that people need to see Mayne's death as an extension of his life.

``You can't really being to live until you deal with the reality of your own death,'' he said.

``Mike knew God; he knew Jesus Christ,'' Henderson said. ``He knew where he was going when he died.''