Tri-town residents honor fallen Marine on final journey
Feb 16, 2018
Students comfort each other as they wave flags to honor the memory of former classmate Becket Kiernan, a Marine who died on Feb. 5 of a bacterial disease. BY ANDREA RAY
Becket Kiernan will not be forgotten.
The 18-year-old Marine died of necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating bacterial disease, on February 5. Friends, classmates, former teachers, neighbors, veterans and emergency responders from all three towns all arrived at Old Rochester Regional High School to honor Kiernan's memory on February 16.
Old Rochester Regional's digital sign read, "Semper Fi, Becket," as high school students poured out of the doors. The students and teachers waved 1,600 American flags donated by the school's Parent-Teacher-Student Organization. They lined the school's main entryway, stretching across the front of the school, waiting to honor their fallen classmate on his final journey.
Many of the students remembered Kiernan, a student they said could cheer people up simply by passing them in the hallway.
Kiernan's procession began at St. Anthony's Church in Mattapoisett, and continued into Marion, and then towards Bourne. Kiernan was buried in Bourne's Massachusetts National Cemetery.
Below, see video of Kiernan's funeral procession. Video courtesy: Old Rochester Regional High School.
Students comfort each other as they wave flags to honor the memory of former classmate Becket Kiernan, a Marine who died on Feb. 5 of a bacterial disease. BY ANDREA RAY
Students, staff, and members of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester's emergency responders await the funeral procession of Becket Kiernan. BY ANDREA RAY
Members of the New England Young Marines, based in Fall River, show their support for former Young Marine Becket Kiernan. BY ANDREA RAY
A Young Marine shows one student how to salute properly. BY ERIN BEDNARCYZK
American flags dominated the landscape far into the distance. BY ANDREA RAY
Godspeed, Marine—Kiernan's funeral procession approaches. BY ANDREA RAY
Students held their flags high as Kiernan's procession arrived. BY ANDREA RAY
