Woodbridge Bids Farewell to a Hometown Hero

Inman Avenue is usually bustling with traffic on a typical Monday morning. But the scene in Colonia was anything but average today, as the street was closed down for the funeral procession of Cpl. Kevin Reinhard.

The motorcade, proceeding slowly from St. Agnes Church in Clark, travelled down Inman Avenue on the way to , where Reinhard, 25, would be laid to rest.

The Marine was among six who in Afghanistan. Reinhard was a lifelong Colonia resident and had almost completed his second tour of duty when he was killed.

Children who had the day off didn't run as they usually did. They stood for the most part quietly in place, despite the frigid weather, clutching American flags that were being freely given out.

"I want to say goodbye," said one little boy who stood close to his father, who held a bigger flag, his face tight with respect in anticipation of Reinhard's casket passing by.

Two veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom never met Reinhard, but they travelled from Union Township to Colonia to pay their respects for a fellow soldier. 

Matt Zeiser was a Petty Officer in the Seabees. His high school friend, Danny Rodriguez, became a Marine sergeant. Both were united in their feeling for Reinhard.

"I'm here to pay homage to a fellow brother in arms," Zeiser said. Both men stood on Inman Ave., ignoring the cold, and waited patiently to bid adieu to a fellow veteran of a 21st century war.

The procession included police cars with flashing lights, and a phalanx of motorcyclists riding in solidarity with the sacrifice of Reinhard to American freedom. 

"It's so painful, but it's what we should be doing for this man who paid the ultimate price," said Karen Braun, who had travelled from south Jersey to pay tribute to the fallen hero.