Michael E. Curtin
Howell soldier buried in
solemn military service
Hundreds honor
Michael E. Curtin
By kathy baratta
Staff Writer
JEFF GRANIT Members of the 104th Light Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts National Guard carry the flag-draped casket bearing Army Cpl. Michael E. Curtin from the Church of St. Veronica, Howell, on Friday.
U.S. Army Cpl. Michael Edward Curtin of Howell was brought home from Iraq last week, returned to a grieving family and community. Curtin, 23, was one of four American soldiers killed by an Iraqi suicide bomber near Najaf, Iraq, on March 29.
Curtin, who was with the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division, was killed by an Iraqi soldier who was disguised as a taxi driver claiming to be in need of assistance.
When the American soldiers went to his aid, he detonated explosives, killing himself and the U.S. servicemen.
Following a funeral Mass on Friday that was attended by hundreds of people at the Church of St. Veronica, Howell, the young soldier was brought to his final resting place at St. Anne Cemetery in Wall Township.
JEFF GRANIT Jennifer and Danny Curtin and their father, Michael, place roses on the casket of Army Cpl. Michael E. Curtin during funeral services at St. Anne Cemetery, Wall Township, on Friday.
The cold, hard rain that fell on the morning of Curtin’s funeral did not deter the mourners, who included among the family and friends strangers who had come, they said, to pay their final respects to Howell’s fallen son and in that way perhaps give some measure of comfort to his family.
Kelly Kingshott of Matawan joined friend Stephanie Good-man of Old Bridge in attending the graveside service, which included a 21-gun salute and the mournful sound of a bugler’s horn playing "Taps."
Kingshott told a Greater Media Newspapers reporter, "I’m here as a show of support for the family. It was the right thing to do."
Goodman said, "We need to support our country and each at other at times like this."
Dignitaries in attendance included New Jersey’s two U.S. senators, Frank Lautenberg and Jon Corzine; Howell Mayor Timothy J. Konopka; Township Manager Bruce Davis; and Police Chief Ronald T. Carter.
Carter said, "I, along with all the men and women of the Howell Police Department, felt very honored on this day that the Curtin family invited and allowed us to participate in the remembrance of the life of Michael E. Curtin. The memory of Michael shall always remain with us and we shall never forget what he has done for his family, community and this great nation we call the United States of America. Michael in our minds has earned the title of ‘hero’ and shall always be remembered in that way."
Konopka said that notwithstanding the family’s unspeakable loss he was proud of the community and the "strength and unity displayed to help the family cope as best they can."
In the week after Curtin’s death, Howell Councilwoman Cynthia Schomaker sent a letter to Howell Superintendent of Schools Enid Golden asking that the new middle school being built on Route 524 be named for Curtin.
Aware that Curtin was a graduate of Howell’s elementary school system and Howell High School, Golden said, "It is definitely a worthy consideration." She said Schomaker’s suggestion had been forwarded to the naming committee and that a decision would be made in the near future.
Curtin was born in Plainfield and lived in Garwood before moving to Howell in 1984. He was a graduate of Howell High School Class of 1998. He was a communicant of St. Veronica’s Roman Catholic Church.
Upon graduation from high school in 1998, Curtin was employed by Petro-packaging Company in Cranford where he was a tool and die apprentice from 1998 until 2001. Curtin enlisted in the U.S. Army in May 2001 and attended basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., where he completed Advanced Infantry Training and graduated from the U.S. Army Airborne School, and U.S. Army Ranger Regimental Indoctrination Program. He was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Stewart, Ga., where he received numerous commendations. He was deployed to the Middle East in January 2003.
According to information provided by the Curtin family, their son and brother had a passion for music, especially the Beatles, and he also enjoyed playing the guitar. He was an avid New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys fan. He loved vacationing with his family at Disney World and the Jersey shore. He was very proud of his Irish heritage. Most of all, he loved being with family and friends.
Family members and friends remembered Michael as being completely committed to the mission he had trained for and proud of what he and his fellow soldiers were doing.
Curtin is survived by his parents, Joan M. and Michael J. Curtin of Howell; a brother, Daniel, at home; three sisters, Katherine, Jennifer and Stephanie, all at home; a niece, Kayla Curtin, at home; his maternal grandparents, Elsie and Edward Larsen of South Plainfield; his paternal grandparents, Catherine and Michael J. Curtin of Brick; two aunts and two uncles, Karen and Robert Thompson of Bridgewater and Patricia and John Curtin of Lakewood; four cousins, Robbie and Kasey Thompson of Bridgewater, and Jonathan and Carrie Ann Curtin of Lakewood.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Cpl. Michael E. Curtin Scholarship Fund, c/o Barbara J. McMorrow, principal, Howell High School, 405 Squankum-Yellowbrook Road, Farmingdale 07727 would be appreciated.