Fallen Ohio-based Marine remembered

By Thomas J. Sheeran
Associated Press

MENTOR, Ohio — One of the 14 Marines killed last week while serving with an Ohio-based battalion was eulogized Wednesday as a patriot determined to fight terrorism.

Services were held at the Mentor United Methodist Church for Lance Cpl. Brian Montgomery, 26, of Willoughby.

“Brian had a deep conviction that he had to defend his country against terrorism,” his father, Paul Montgomery, said as he choked back tears.

“I know he’s in heaven because he died in hell,” the father said.

Montgomery’s widow, Pamela Montgomery, said her husband was proud to be a Marine and loved his country. She said the two fell in love immediately.

“You never believe in love at first sight until it happens to you,” she said.

Montgomery’s brother, Marine Lance Cpl. Eric Montgomery, said Brian was determined to make sure that his brother got home safely from Iraq, where the two served together with the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines based in Brook Park in suburban Cleveland.

When Eric insisted that his brother’s safe return was more important because he was married with a 1-year-old son Eric said he responded, “I’ve got a responsibility to Dad and Mom to get you home.”

Eric Montgomery said he promised to take care of Brian’s wife and child if anything happened. “I said, ‘Brian I’ll do it ‘til the day I die.”’

On Saturday, Eric Montgomery escorted his brother’s body home.

Several people, some waving American flags, lined the streets near the church to show support for Montgomery, whose funeral was the first of several of the battalion members scheduled for this week in Ohio.

Among those in attendance were aging Marines who have made it their mission to ride their motorcycles to as many military funerals as they can.