Max Baucus: “west of Baghdad in Iraq's Al Anbar Province, the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion of the 1st Marine Division…”

“west of Baghdad in Iraq's Al Anbar Province, the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion of the 1st Marine Division rested for the night. On Saturday, June 29, a suicide bomber crashed his vehicle into a barrack. The structure collapsed. Four marines died. Among them was a 28-year-old corporal named Phillip Baucus. He is my nephew. When I first took my wife Wanda to the family ranch many years ago, about 23, young Phillip, 5 or 6 years old, received Wanda. He walked up to Wanda and said: Wanda, welcome to the ranch. He had a wildflower in his hand and he gave it to Wanda. That is how he was. Wanda and I had the sad duty at Dover Air Force Base to receive Phillip's casket. When we asked, they said, no, we could not touch his casket, but they reconsidered--the colonel did--and said, yes, it was all right for Wanda and let Wanda touch Phillip's casket. Beneath the flag that draped the casket, Wanda slipped a wildflower. That is how she is. North of Helena, in Montana's Lewis and Clark County, Phillip came to his final rest. On the afternoon of Sunday, August 6, more than 500 Montanans gathered under the willow trees of the family ranch to remember Phillip. A Chinook helicopter flew overhead, a massive American flag draped below it. White doves were released into the sky. A bagpipe played ``Amazing Grace,'' and the ``Marine Corps Hymn.'' Bugles played ``Taps.'' The funeral ended with a family tradition, a tradition that Phillip loved.…”