From the Houston Chronicle:
Hundreds of friends and relatives packed a small cemetery for the funeral on Sunday of 22-year-old Juan Lopez, who was born in this sun-scorched farming town, immigrated to Dalton, Georgia, as a teenager and became a Marine.
He was killed in an ambush in Ramadi, west of Baghdad, on June 21.
Maj. Curt Gwilliam presented an American flag to Lopez's widow, Sandra Torres, who clutched a bouquet of yellow and white flowers while tears streamed down her face.
While the funeral demonstrated the close human ties of Mexico and the United States, problems began moments after the start -- leading to an expression of outrage by the U.S. ambassador.
Four U.S. Marines marched solemnly to the grave carrying an American flag and the colors of the Marine Corps. Two of the men had rifles that looked real, but could not be fired, strapped to their backs.
Four Mexican soldiers blocked their path, asking the four Marines and six others who had served as pallbearers to return to the car that had brought them to the funeral. Several minutes of discussions by soldiers from both countries continued until a trumpet player began a rendition of taps and the funeral continued, despite the objections of the Mexican troops.
When the ceremony was complete, all the Marines on hand returned to a U.S. Embassy vehicle and waited. Fourteen Mexican soldiers arrived to guard the premises. About 40 minutes later, apparently under orders from a superior officer, the Mexican soldiers allowed the van to leave.
Matt's Chat
To #e|| with Mexico. I demand an apology. This is a complete outrage. This was a funeral, not an invasion...Although I do think two Marines with toy rifles probably were a serious threat to Mexico's national security...those guys can kick some serious booty.
Mark's Remarks
I cannot agree more with my colleague. This is blatantly disrespectful of the Mexican troops, and in a de facto way, the Mexican government. Maybe if the Mexican government actually did something to help the country instead of continue to plunder it, then maybe, just maybe, valiant men like this soldier would not emigrate and take up arms for another nation he deemed more worthy of serving and living in. Just a thought.
