FALLEN MARINE IRAQ WAR TOUCHES HOME.Byline: ERIC LEACH Staff Writer WESTLAKE VILLAGE -- Last year, Anthony Melia returned to his alma mater, Thousand Oaks High School Thousand Oaks High School is a high school established in 1962 and located in Thousand Oaks, California. It is a California Distinguished School, and offers curriculum at all levels for Thousand Oaks students. The mascot is the lancer. , proudly wearing his crisp uniform as a U.S. Marine. He would soon be sent off to fight for his country in Iraq, and he couldn't have been more enthusiastic. ``He talked of his excitement in serving his country,'' said Teri Sanders, who has been Melia's English teacher. ``He was showing through his courageous actions what love is. He had a contagious smile that would light up a room.'' Memories of that smile brought even the toughest of Marines to tears Monday as more than 1,000 people paid tribute to Melia, 20, who was killed Jan. 27 while fighting in Al Anbar province, becoming the first person from Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. killed in the Iraq war Iraq War: see under Persian Gulf Wars. Iraq War or Second Persian Gulf War Brief conflict in 2003 between Iraq and a combined force of troops largely from the U.S. and Great Britain; and a subsequent U.S. . Residents lined the streets as a procession carried Melia's body to Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village. There, his family and friends talked of his personal warmth and devotion to his community and his nation. ``He was just an amazing, rare individual who did more in 20 years than many do in (long) lifetimes,'' said Melia's cousin Frank Melia Jr. ``Anthony was a hero and he will never be forgotten. He provided us with an example of how to live. ... He was a fearless warrior.'' Anthony Melia's fiancee, Jaime Chunko, said he will be her true love forever. ``I know he is still here with me -- my guardian angel guardian angel believed to protect a particular person. [Folklore: Misc.] See : Angel guardian angel term for Christian namesake who watches over a young child. [Christianity: Misc.] See : Guardianship ,'' she said. His family was presented with a Purple Heart Purple Heart U.S. medal awarded to those wounded in military action. [Am. Hist.: Misc.] See : Bravery during the ceremony. Relatives said it was typical of Melia even as a small boy to show eagerness to protect his friends and family. He was still in his early teens on Sept. 11, 2001, when the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon convinced him that he wanted to join the U.S. military to help protect his country. Friends said he was known for speed and strength as a wide receiver and defensive back on the football team at Thousand Oaks High. Graduated in 2005, he joined the Marines at age 18. A lance corporal lance corporal n. 1. Abbr. LCpl A noncommissioned rank in the U.S. Marine Corps that is above private first class and below corporal. 2. One who holds this rank. in the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force The largest Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) and the Marine Corps principal warfighting organization, particularly for larger crises or contingencies. It is task-organized around a permanent command element and normally contains one or more Marine divisions, Marine aircraft wings, and , based at Camp Pendleton, he was sent to Iraq on Sept. 13. He was shot to death in combat 4 1/2 months later. Further details have not been released. A police escort led Melia's family in the procession through the streets of Thousand Oaks before the funeral Monday. Along the route, thousands of mourners -- many waving flags -- emerged from schools, homes, businesses and City Hall in Thousand Oaks. ``They stopped what they were doing and came out to pay their respects for his service and his heroism,'' Thousand Oaks Mayor Andrew Fox Andrew Fox is an American author from New Orleans. He has written two comic novels, Fat White Vampire Blues and Bride of the Fat White Vampire. Both novels feature Jules Duchon, a morbidly obese vampire who resides in New Orleans and works as a taxi driver. said. Thousand Oaks police Sgt. Jim Kenney, who helped lead the procession, said it was remarkable to see so many people lining the streets. ``It was an honor for us,'' he said about being in the funeral procession. As a bagpiper played ``Amazing Grace "Amazing Grace" is a well-known Christian hymn. The words were written late in 1772 by Englishman John Newton. They first appeared in print in Newton's Olney Hymns, 1779 that he worked on with William Cowper. ,'' Marines carried Melia's casket into the church, where a series of photos showed his progression from athletic boy to heroic Marine. ``I am overwhelmed with this outpouring of compassion,'' said his grandfather, Charles Melia. Byron Sells Jr., a 17-year-old Westlake High School Westlake High School may refer to:
``He's a very honored person in this community,'' Sells said. ``He will always be remembered in our hearts.'' eric.leach@dailynews.com (805) 583-7602 CAPTION(S): 5 photos Photo: (1) The casket holding the body of Thousand Oaks' first fatality fa·tal·i·ty n. 1. A death resulting from an accident or disaster. 2. One that is killed as a result of such an occurrence. in the Iraq war, Marine Lance Cpl. Anthony Melia, 20, gets farewell kisses Monday from his mother, Vicki, left, and his sister Nicole, 22. (2) Other Marines carry the casket of Marine Lance Cpl. Anthony Melia, 20, who was killed in action in Iraq, at his funeral in Westlake Village on Monday. (3) A hearse carrying the body of Marine Lance Cpl. Anthony Charles Anthony Charles (born March 11, 1981 in Isleworth) is a professional footballer who plays for Aldershot Town. A defender, Charles began his career with Crewe Alexandra, but failed to make a first-team apparances in two spells with the club before finally leaving in 2001. Melia is driven by his alma mater, Thousand Oaks High School, en route to his funeral on Monday. (4) The family of Marine Lance Cpl. Anthony Melia of Thousand Oaks, killed in action in Iraq, is given flags from his pall bearers on Monday. His family includes, from left, his brother Daniel, 17; his father, Mike; his mother, Vicki, and his sister, Nicole, 22. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer (5 -- color) Anthony Melia, above |
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