Female Marine Killed in Afghan War Eulogized
Mourners filed past the flag-draped coffin of Marine Sgt. Jeannette L. Winters on Friday, the first U.S. servicewoman killed since Afghan bombing began in October.
She was eulogized as a proud Marine and the person who held her family together after her mother’s death. Winters’ coffin was carried by eight Marines in a color guard into the downtown convention center for the funeral.
Winters, 25, was among seven Marines killed Jan. 9 when a KC-130 tanker plane crashed in Pakistan. She was buried with full military honors Friday at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville.
Her brother, Marine Sgt. Matthew Winters Jr., recalled her saying after their mother’s death in 1994 to always be strong because their mother would always be with them. “Today I am confident in those same words. I know Jeannette is watching me right now, and I will keep my head up for her and I will be strong.”
Fellow Marines are proud of Winters, who was based at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, said her platoon commander, 1st Lt. Jeni Froehlich.
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