Family, friends gather to honor Cass Lake soldier killed in Iraq

By Molly Miron

Pioneer Editor

      CASS LAKE - Spc. Dwayne James Bellanger McFarlane Jr. was buried in Pine Grove Cemetery during a Tuesday afternoon snowstorm.

      Saluted as Ogichidaa, honorable warrior, in his people’s Ojibwe language, McFarlane died Jan. 9 while on foot patrol near Baghdad. He was killed in action serving his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

      “Gigawaabamin ishpiming. We will see you again in heaven. There is no word in our language for goodbye,” said John Rock, officiating at the funeral with the Rev. Harold Eaglebull.

      The closed-casket funeral was held at Cass Lake-Bena High School, where McFarlane graduated in 2002. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry, 10th Mountain Division, based in Fort Drum, N.Y. He was serving his third tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed by a roadside bomb.

      “The reason why we’re here is to show our final respect for Spc. Dwayne James Bellanger McFarlane, and to the family that is here. You can see that love, you can see that trust, that respect and the caring by his family--his larger family here,” said Eaglebull said of the gathered mourners who filled the high school gym.

      Eaglebull used Jesus’ Parable of the Good Shepherd as his text, noting that the shepherd is also a leader. He cited the Ojibwe tradition of sending young warriors out on their journey with ceremony and feasting. He family and friends hope to see him again, but they know he might not come back, Eaglebull said.

      “That’s part of the danger in being a warrior,” he said, adding that McFarlane became a warrior in the modern way by joining the U.S. Army and serving his country.

      The Revs. Jim Speer and George Ross also assisted in the prayers.

      Other speakers who expressed sympathy for McFarlane’s loss and praise for his sacrifice included Rep. Frank Moe, DFL-Bemidji; Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Tribal Chairman George Goggleye; and Cass Lake American Legion 284 Chaplain Dan Gumphrey. And Elder Don Staples greeted each mourner passing the casket for final reviewal.

      Gumphrey described McFarlane as “one of those men who came back in spirit. He is here. He is among us. He is in our hearts as we sit here to honor him.”

      Brig. Gen. James L. Terry presented McFarlane’s parents, Alvera Reyes and Don Bellanger, and the older brother of the deceased, Darrill Nabors McFarlane, with medals and keepsake boxes. And Leech Lake Honor Guard Member Kenny Perrault presented McFarlane’s parents with a warrior’s eagle feather and an eagle feather tipped in red symbolizing the wounded warrior.

      McFarlane’s extended family filled half the floor seating of the gym. They also invited Arland and Karen Panchot of Northome, whose son, Dale, was killed in Iraq in November 2003, to join the family of the bereaved.

      McFarlane, who was actually Bellanger and his wife’s nephew, whom they raised from the age of 6, wanted to be a soldier and understood the risks. Bellanger said McFarlane was planning to go to college when he finished his military obligation.