| From North jersey northjersey.com
04/03/12:
Fallen Marine to be honored in Waldwick today
MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY APRIL 3, 2012, 1:46 PM
BY ALLISON PRIES
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
WALDWICK- Marine Staff Sgt. Joseph D’Augustine will be given a hero’s welcome Tuesday when he is brought home for the community to pay its final respects.
The 29-year-old was killed last week in Afghanistan’s Sangin district of Helmand province, a fierce battleground where 19,000 Marines are deployed.
A procession will make its way through town beginning at about noon from Route 17, past his home, to East Prospect, then past Waldwick High School and to St. Luke’s Church in Ho-Ho-Kus, where a viewing will be held at 2 p.m.
“It’s our way of saying thank you for your time served, for protecting us and for keeping us free,” said Mayor Tom Giordano, who is also handling the funeral arrangements.
The route was established by the Waldwick Police Department and Giordano, with input from the family.
“It affords a lot of area for the community to gather,” Waldwick Police Sgt. Doug Moore said. “We are anticipating an impressive turnout. The people of Waldwick and surrounding communities have shown a tremendous amount of support for the D’Augustine family.”
D’Augustine left for the Marines after he graduated from Waldwick High School in 2001. He served two tours in Iraq and was on his second deployment to Afghanistan. He was expected to come home later this month for his sister’s wedding.
A funeral service is planned for Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Luke’s. All flags at state buildings will be lowered to half-staff on Wednesday in D’Augustine’s honor, according to an executive order signed by Acting Governor Kim Guadagno on Monday. |
Crowded church says farewell to fallen Marine
The Associated Press
HO-HO-KUS, N.J. — Hundreds of people gathered at a northern New Jersey church on April 4 for the funeral of a Marine who was killed in combat operations in Afghanistan.
The service for Staff Sgt. Joseph D’Augustine, 29, of Waldwick was held at St. Luke’s Church in Ho-Ho-Kus.
D’Augustine died March 27 in Helmand province, nearly two weeks before he was due to come home for his sister’s wedding. D’Augustine graduated from Waldwick High School in 2001, where he wrestled and played football.
D’Augustine was assigned to an explosive ordnance disposal unit.
The funeral came one day after hundreds of residents in lined the streets of his home town as police escorted the hearse carrying his body. |
