Final taps for Cyril John O’Brien

Marine saluting O'Brien's son after presenting flag. (Photos by Don Knight)

Cyril John O'Brien, 2011 (image courtesy of the Newseum)

Marine Combat Correspondent Cyril John O’Brien was  laid to rest on Friday, Feb. 4, 2011, five days following his 92nd birthday.

Many were assembled on  a spacious, snow-covered burial ground appropriately named “Gates to Heaven” in Montgomery County, MD, a dozen miles north of Washington, D.C.

Two Marines removed an American flag from his casket and presented it to son Anthony O’Brien.  A Marine bugler sounded taps. Monsignor K. B. Smith from St. Bernadette’s church in Silver Spring, MD, offered the prayer. The new grave was next to that of Cy’s wife who passed away in 1975.

The large gathering included his three daughters, grandchidren, other relatives, and many friends. In the group was  Marine Brig. General  V. “Ben” Blaz (Ret.)  who, as a native of the American territory of  Guam, participated in the liberation of that Pacific island from the Japanese in World War II.  Also present, Col. Bryan Salas, director of Public Affairs for the Marine Corps. 

Nearly everone had a story to tell about this feisty Leatherneck who left the Marine Corps as a captain in 1963 and followed up with a long career as a newspaperman and as a corporate media chief.  O’Brien fought on one Pacific island as a rifleman and then as a combat correspondent on Guam and Iwo Jima.

Earlier, at the church services, the priest  told one story about his former parishioner and Sunday school teacher at St. Bernadettes.

Cy, then as a former Marine, was accosted by a man who had jumped into his automobile and demanded, possibly at gun point,  that Cy drive him to the nearest ATM.  Cy told the intruder that he had no idea what the initials ATM stood for. He did, however, offer what cash he had if the robber would leave him enough money for a morning cup of coffee. The befuddled thief took the cash and fled. Cy got his cup of coffee. — Don Knight

Flag folding ceremony at Cy O'Brien's grave site.

A fitting goodbye