Fallen Maine soldier found great cause

LEWISTON – Army Sgt. Daniel Cunningham lived an ordinary life that was touched by greatness when he fought to bring freedom to the people of Iraq, mourners were told Tuesday.

Cunningham, one of three soldiers with the 3rd Infantry Division who drowned April 4 when their vehicle fell into a ravine in Baghdad while swerving to avoid artillery fire, was remembered at a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church.

Several hundred people, including Gov. John Baldacci and U.S. Reps. Tom Allen and Michael Michaud, were present for the Mass, which was presided over by Cunningham’s cousin, Monsignor Charles Murphy of Falmouth.

Noting that St. Joseph’s “has been the setting for so many of our family celebrations, both in joy and sorrow,” Murphy said Cunningham’s gregarious nature and personality made him the mirror image of his father, also named Daniel, who died six months earlier.

The 33-year-old artilleryman had served in Kosovo and wrote in a letter home that he was aware of the dangers that might await him in Iraq, Murphy said. But the letter went on to explain that Cunningham was prepared to face those risks in order to help the Iraqi people escape tyranny and experience freedom.