Essays: Death of a Soldier: Iraq War Funerals

Members of the United States Navy stand by as the casket of Daniel Noble is unloaded at Los Alamitos Airfield on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 for the funeral of Daniel Noble. Daniel, 21, was killed in Iraq while serving as a medic with the 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force Pacific out of Camp Pendleton.
   
Members of the United States Navy stand by as the casket of Daniel Noble is unloaded at Los Alamitos Airfield on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 for the funeral of Daniel Noble. Daniel, 21, was killed in Iraq while serving as a medic with the 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force Pacific out of Camp Pendleton.
   
Members of the United States Navy carry the casket of Daniel Noble to the herse at Los Alamitos Airfield on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 for the funeral of Daniel Noble. Daniel, 21, was killed in Iraq while serving as a medic with the 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force Pacific out of Camp Pendleton.
     
  
Robert Wisher and his son Travis Wisher stand outside of the chapel at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Whittier, Calif. on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 for the funeral of Daniel Noble. Daniel, 21, was killed in Iraq while on a tour of duty with the 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force Pacific out of Camp Pendleton.
  
Julie and Barry Noble, right, grieve at the viewing of their son Daniel Noble at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Whittier, Calif. on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 for the funeral of Daniel Noble. Daniel, 21, was killed in Iraq while serving as a medic with the 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force Pacific out of Camp Pendleton.
  
     
  
Friends and family gather to celebrate and grieve for the life of Daniel Noble at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Whittier, Calif. on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 for his funeral. Daniel, 21, was killed in Iraq while serving as a medic with the 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force Pacific out of Camp Pendleton.
  
Friends and family gather to celebrate and grieve for the life of Daniel Noble at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Whittier, Calif. on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 for his funeral. Daniel, 21, was killed in Iraq while serving as a medic with the 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force Pacific out of Camp Pendleton.
   
     
  
White gloves and boutenniers are placed on the casket of Daniel Noble at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Whittier, Calif. on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 for his funeral service. Daniel, 21, was killed in Iraq while serving as a medic with the 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force Pacific out of Camp Pendleton.