ASSOCIATED PRESS Firefighters from several area fire departments lined up yesterday along Highway 59 in Cherokee, Iowa, to show their respect for Marine Cpl. Nathan Schubert as the funeral processional proceeded to Galva Township Cemetery. Schubert, 22, a native of Cherokee, died Jan. 26 when the helicopter he was riding on crashed in a sandstorm in Iraq. He was a member of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe.

Town remembers
isle Marine

The helicopter crash victim's
funeral draws 1,000 people

CHEROKEE, Iowa » The streets of this northwest Iowa community were lined yesterday with people wanting to pay their respects to a Hawaii-based Marine killed in Iraq.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Nathan Schubert: Marine was buried one day after he was due to return home

Some held small American flags. Others held red, white and blue balloons to honor Cpl. Nathan Schubert, 22, of Cherokee, who died Jan. 26 when the helicopter he was riding on crashed in a sandstorm in western Iraq.

Schubert, a member of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, based at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, was among the 31 servicemen killed in the crash.

The Rev. Armand Bertrand told about 1,000 people who gathered at Washington High School for Schubert's funeral that the fallen Marine gave his life trying to ensure freedom for Iraqis.

Schubert was deployed in November to Iraq, where he assisted in house raids in Fallujah in preparations for last week's elections.

"No one has greater love than this, than to lay down one's life for his friend," Bertrand said.

Schubert died one day shy of his 23rd birthday. He was buried one day after he was scheduled to return.

Bertrand said everyone's life changed after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He talked about United Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania and the tape of passenger Todd Beamer, in which Beamer is heard to say "Let's Roll" in what was believed to be the start of the revolt against the terrorist hijackers.

"I can see this man saying that," Bertrand said of Schubert.

Bertrand said Jesus was with the passengers of Flight 93 that day.

"Early one Wednesday morning in the darkness of western Iraq, Jesus was with Nathan as well," he said.

He said while Schubert's family would rather have been celebrating his safe return, they understand the mission he was on.

"But like the journey of those on Flight 93, his journey took him on another course," Bertrand said. "It took Nathan Schubert and his comrades-in-arms in harms way. They were helping the oppressed and terrorized people gain freedom."

ASSOCIATED PRESS Cheryl Winkleplek was comforted yesterday by her fiance, Dale Robb, during the graveside service for her son, Marine Cpl. Nathan Schubert, at the Galva, Iowa, Township Cemetery.

About a dozen people stood on the post office steps, waving small American flags and holding their hands over their hearts. Firefighters from neighboring communities stood in a line three blocks long, with their helmets under their arms and their firetrucks nearby, lights flashing.

An American flag was extended across the road, suspended from the boom of one of the trucks.

On the edge of town someone held a sign wishing Nathan well.

"Happy hunting Nate," it read.