Printer-friendly version Reader Comments

Parts of a letter to his mother are read at Maj. Jay Thomas Aubin's memorial.

By JOSIE HUANG Staff Writer February 28, 2008

Two days before a fateful helicopter mission in Kuwait, Maj. Jay Thomas Aubin mailed a letter to his mother, Nancy Chamberlain. "I want to thank you for everything over the years," Aubin wrote. "You always tried your best to put us first at your expense. I wish it had worked out that I was closer to your grandkids."

"Hopefully," he continued, "I will be home soon."

Those parting words pierced through mourners at St. John the Baptist Church on Saturday, as the Rev. Paul Plante read the letter during a memorial service for the fallen Marine pilot.

More than 600 people sat in pin-drop silence, feeling the presence of the Skowhegan native who perished with three other Marines and eight British soldiers when their chopper crashed nine miles from the Iraqi border on March 20.

The U.S.-led attack on Iraq had just begun when Aubin died, at age 36. He was among the first allied casualties of the war that also included another man with ties to Maine, Cpl. Brian Matthew Kennedy, whose mother lives in Port Clyde.

A service for Aubin, who was promoted posthumously from captain, was held last Wednesday at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz., where he lived with his wife and two children before he was dispatched to Kuwait about a month ago.

Relatives who attended the Yuma service said it was deeply affecting to see Aubin's military family honor him. But Saturday's service, they noted, was unique, drawing many who knew Aubin when he was just a boy with a thatch of brown hair, deep dimples and a dream to become a pilot like his father.

On a gray, wet morning, friends, relatives, fellow Marines and a handful of politicians streamed into the hilltop church, marked by a giant American flag hanging from the ladder of a Winslow firetruck parked outside.

Inside the packed church, speakers chronicled how Aubin became a well-loved leader and family man, who touched everybody he met with his charisma and kindness.

Plante said Aubin's life was "not taken. Rather, it was one who was given. . . . May he inspire us to be more generous with the gift of ourselves."

Much of Aubin's large extended family filled the front and middle pews but only a couple of relatives, two of Chamberlain's 13 siblings, spoke at the service.

Aubin's uncle, Dennis Willette of Skowhegan, told how Aubin was unfailingly modest despite his athletic ability and academic prowess. Even when teachers voted him "student of the year" as a high school senior, he stayed humble.

Willette said no man is perfect but in "our human eyes, Jay had a real good start."

Another uncle, Peter Willette of Skowhegan, said he felt very proud of Aubin, who entered the Marines straight out of Skowhegan Area High School. After four years of service, he returned home to earn an associate's degree in applied science from Southern Maine Technical College and a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Southern Maine.

Then he re-enlisted in the Marines and pursued his dream of flying. Last year, he won a coveted spot at the Yuma air station, teaching night flight to helicopter pilots.

Peter Willette's voice grew shaky recounting Aubin's accomplishments.

"I love Jay Aubin," he said. "We all love Jay. We couldn't be more proud of him if he was our own son."

During the service, Aubin was given full military honors. Marines from Chicopee, Mass., to Topsham joined in a rifle salute and flag detail. After the flag was unfolded, then refolded, Maj. Chris Ross walked to the front pew where Chamberlain was sitting next to Aubin's stepfather, knelt and presented her with the carefully-folded flag. She got up and pressed it to her chest.

At a reception at the Waterville Armory immediately after the service, Chamberlain said she had worked hard to honor Aubin, the eldest of three sons. Much of the service was carefully scripted, right down to the Bible readings and hymns, like "Let There Be Peace...