Family, friends remember South Portland soldier

SOUTH PORTLAND – A 22-year-old soldier who was killed last month in a noncombat accident in Afghanistan was laid to rest Wednesday with full military honors.

Gov. John Baldacci joined friends and family members at Holy Cross Church for the funeral of Army Spc. Justin Buxbaum, a 2004 graduate of South Portland High School.

Buxbaum, who was sent to Afghanistan in April after completing two tours in Iraq, was remembered as someone who put others first, was fond of children and hoped to go to college and become an elementary school teacher.

Buxbaum’s family learned of his death on Memorial Day.

Buxbaum’s mother, Julie Buxbaum, told WCSH-TV, Portland, that the accident occurred when her son’s platoon returned from a three-day mission and his roommate entered the room after Buxbaum set a gun against the wall.

“The gun had been picked up,” she said. “I don’t know if it was Justin’s or his roommate’s. And when they went to put it down it was at an angle and hit the ground hard and discharged and went into my son’s lung. They said he was alive for a little while and talking to them and no more.”

Julie Buxbaum said she forgives the young soldier who caused the death and realizes that he must feel devastated.

She quoted her son as saying weeks before his death that conditions were worse than in Iraq and that food, water and other supplies were running low.

“It broke my heart,” she said, “because everything he’s doing over there he shouldn’t have to worry about running out of things.”

Flags throughout Maine were lowered to half-staff to coincide with Buxbaum’s funeral.