Friends, family mourn Marine An estimated 750 to 800 people attended Marine Lance Cpl. Adam Peak’s visitation Sunday at Thomas More College, a spokesman for Stith Funeral Home said. Peak, 25, was killed by an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on Feb. 21. He was a graduate of Boone County High School and Thomas More College. A private graveside service for close personal friends and family members follow a service Monday at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. On Saturday, a parade of yellow ribbons had adorned telephone poles along Kellogg Avenue leading to Lunken Airport. The ribbons were a tribute to Peak, whose body
was returned Saturday afternoon. For the last several days, family and friends had been awaiting the moment when the fallen Marine would be brought home. At Lunken, a crowd that grew to more than 100 waited anxiously for the flight from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Just before 4 p.m., a Kalitta Charters plane landed and headed slowly toward the crowd, taxied to the right, then turned left and stopped in front of the hangar where a military color guard stood waiting. Peak’s parents, Bruce and Diana Peak, and his brother Sean, also a Marine stationed in Afghanistan, were among the small group of family and close
News
friends waiting at Air10 Hangar. A few days earlier, Peak’s parents had flown to Dover to greet the plane that returned their son’s body to the states. As the door opened at Lunken and Peak’s flagdraped coffin was unloaded, uniformed pallbearers marched forward and solemnly loaded him into a waiting hearse, stopping when they were done to salute in unison. A few minutes later, the procession of vehicles drove past the crowd of flag-waving supporters, many of whom were sobbing. A man in one vehicle rolled down a window and waved in appreciation to the group. As the crowd filed out,
March 4, 2010
Florence Recorder
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PATRICK REDDY/STAFF
An honor guard carries a casket bearing the body of Marine Lance Cpl. Adam Peak of Florence from an airplane to a hearse at Lunken Airport Feb. 27. Peak was killed in Afghanistan Feb. 21. Keith Maupin stood out among them. The father of Army Sgt. Matt Maupin, who was killed by insur-
gents in Iraq and was returned home for burial in 2008, continues to show support for fallen troops.
“We have to show that we still back the soldiers,” he said. Kentucky News Service
First-grader’s birthday wish: Give to Haiti When it came time to plan her birthday party, it was no surprise that newly turned 7-year-old Lilly Zehnder knew exactly what the theme would be. “I want an American Girl ice-skating party,” she said. What was unusual was what followed. “And I want to give my presents to the kids in Haiti.” Lilly and her mother, Wende, had recently been
talking about the tragedy in the Caribbean country and the devastating damage and suffering that was taking place. So, inside each of her invitations, Lilly placed a note asking that each of her guests bring a cash donation for Haiti relief in lieu of gifts. The response was overwhelming. “I raised $500!” said the proud first-grader, a Union
resident. She will be giving her donation to EDGE Outreach, a Christian organization that
is helping to install water purification systems that can be easily installed and maintained, whether or not
power is available. Thanks to the kind heart of a little girl and the generosity of her friends and
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Lilly Zehnder, 7, celebrates her birthday by giving to Haiti relief.
PROVIDED
Turfway hosts Irish Day at Races The luck of the Irish will be in full force at Turfway Park on Saturday, March 6, when the thoroughbred racecourse hosts the fourth annual Irish Day at the Races. The family-friendly event is presented by the Fenians of Northern Kentucky, an Irish heritage cultural organization with roots dating from the mid19th century. Scheduled for noon to 6:30 p.m. during Turfway’s live racing program, Irish Day at the Races features all things Irish: jigs, reels, and Celtic roots music from the Vinegar Hill Irish Band, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Glee Club, and bagpiper Patrick Hill; performances
by national and international champions the McGing Irish Dancers; and a wide variety of Irish-themed artwork, jewelry, clothing, and other handcrafts. Molly Malone’s Irish Pub in Covington will provide such authentic Irish fare as Irish stew, corned beef and cabbage, and shepherd’s pie, and traditional Irish beverages such as Killian’s Irish Red, Tullamore Dew, Michael Collins, Jameson, and Feckin will be available. A special Kids Corner, new to the festival this year, will keep children entertained with games, crafts, and face painting. Admission to the races, admission to the festival, and parking are free.
Crispy hand-battered pollack fish served with Fries and Creamy Cole Slaw.* Available every Friday starting 2/26/10 thru 4/02/10 at Hoggy’s, 2807 Crestview Town Center, Crestview Hills, KY 41017, 859-331-3538
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family, thousands of gallons of clean water will be made available to the suffering people of Haiti.