'It's a tribute to the best qualities of man'

BUENA VISTA – Selflessness, honor, dignity and courage.

Among other attributes, those were the main characteristics that defined the lives and actions of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Salvatore S. Corma II and U.S. Marine Corp. Pfc. Edward K. Miller, two South Jersey residents who lost their lives while serving the United States in war.

On Wednesday, the distinction of legacy was added to that list of virtues as friends and family of the two gathered at St. Augustine Preparatory School to honor and dedicate a new memorial in their name.

"How does someone say, 'I am here on behalf of others?'" St. Augustine President and Rev. Donald Reilly asked Wednesday's crowd gathered in the school gym. "We're here because of people like Salvatore and Edward. We will not forget."

Preceding the memorial dedication, a school mass Wednesday morning saw a solemn and spiritual commemoration for both Corma and Miller, who were former students of St. Augustine.

Flanked by a choir and fellow school spiritual leaders, Reilly used the occasion to teach of the deeper meaning behind sacrifice and the higher purpose he said it serves.

"They knew the consequences of their actions — it was on behalf of others, and it was extraordinary," Reilly said. "We honor because we remember, and we remember because we want to live life on behalf of others."

Corma, of Wenonah, graduated from St. Augustine in 2004 and the United States Military Academy in 2008.

At the age of 24, he died five years ago to the day Wednesday while stationed in Afghanistan.

He is said to have saved 18 of his fellow soldiers by leaping on an improvised explosive device, shielding them from the full blast.

According to school officials, Corma is currently being considered for the Medal of Honor award.

Miller, of Buena, graduated from St. Augustine in 1966. He died Aug. 17, 1968 while serving in the Vietnam War.

Under blue skies Wednesday, the site of the new 1st Lt. Salvatore S. Corma II Veteran's Memorial was officially unveiled and dedicated to the two men following the morning mass.

Set beneath the school's sports field score board, an American flag pole punctuates a circled-in area that includes two marble benches and two other stone monuments bearing Corma's and Miller's names.

Amid an Armed Services ceremony complete with a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, an honor guard presentation and remarks from friends and family, the site was formally dedicated.

"It's quite an honor, I really can't express it in words," Christopher Miller said of his brother's memorial. "He would be very honored if he were here today."

Miller's sister, Rene Miller Winterburn, agreed.

"It's a true recognition," she said.

The two were joined by members from the Corma family as they prayed over the memorial that will forever link the two families.

"It's a tribute to the best qualities of man," Trudy Corma said of her son's memorial. "Both of them were heroes."

Speaking of her son's sacrifice, Corma continued, "Of course I'm sad that he's not here, but I am so proud of what he stands for. He relished servicing. For him, the men came first. When they told him to get behind cover, he knew what was possible."

She added, "This validates his life and sacrifice. It means everything."

The memorial was made possible through the leadership of two St. Augustine students, seniors Vincenzo Dragone and Michael Ritter.

As part of the school's Caritas Project, which requires all seniors to complete more than 100 hours of service in their community, the two raised $1,700 in funds to help pay for the memorial.

"My brother was friends with Salvatore, and when I heard of his death I knew I wanted to do something," Ritter, 18, said.

"We originally were going to do a plaque, but it just grew into this," Dragone, 18, said. "We wanted to do something permanent."

Ritter added, "It makes me really happy knowing that their sons are remembered."