To the Editor:
Recently, I had the occasion to attend the funeral Mass for 1st Lt. Salvatore S. Corma II of Deptford Township, a U.S. Army soldier who was killed in Afghanistan while attempting to defuse an explosive device so that the men in his platoon would remain safe.
I watched as friends, relatives and military brothers-in-arms knelt before the flag-draped casket for a time to pray and extend words of consolation to members of the Corma family.
I was impressed by the honor and dignity shown to Lt. Corma by other members of the U.S. armed forces, regardless of military branch. Soldiers saluted their fallen comrade and wept silently as they openly demonstrated the magnitude of their loss. It was obvious the lieutenant was respected and loved by his brothers-in-arms.
No greater love can be shown than to be willing to risk death for the well-being of one’s comrades. No greater sign of respect can be shown than to shed tears of sorrow for a fallen soldier.
God bless Lt. Corma, his parents, members of the armed forces and the United States of America.
Egg Harbor City