When you hear of military casualties in the War in Afghanistan, most often the victims hail from far away from Farmingdale. Unfortunately, recent news of a fallen Marine brings the loss to Dalers’ front doors.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Lance Cpl. James D. Argentine, 22, of Farmingdale was killed Aug. 6 by a roadside bomb. Argentine was among three other Marines fatally wounded supporting involved in combat operations in the Farah province of Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of the Marine Corps Base in Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.
Argentine was a 2005 graduate of St. Anthony’s High School in Huntington. A message on the school’s website states, “Please pray for the repose of the soul of Lance Cpl. James Argentine, 2005.” A special mass was held at St. Anthony’s Chapel in Argentine’s honor.
Brother Gary Cregan, the principal at St. Anthony’s said that Argentine “was a notable and noteworthy student, especially in his involvement in stage crew.”
“That was the one area where he spent the bulk of his free time serving,” he added. “Anything that involved staging, we relied heavily on James. This was fairly indicative of the kind of quiet service he was capable of. Which brings me to the type of service he provided for his country.”
Argentine enlisted in the Marines in October 2006. He is survived by his parents.
A tribute to Argentine was held along Main Street on Aug. 12 as his body was returned to Farmingdale. The Farmingdale Fire Department created an arch with ladders to display the American Flag.
“Main Street will be closed for approximately one-half hour while James receives a hero’s welcome back to his hometown,” Mayor George “Butch” Starkie said in a village press release.
He was waked Aug. 12 and 14 at McCourt & Trudden Funeral Home. A funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15 at St. Kilian’s RC Church, with interment following at Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale.
Farmingdale residents have been distributing emails suggesting Dalers and other local residents gather at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 15 along the south side of Hempstead Turnpike from Howitt Middle School to Route 110 to pay tribute to James for his sacrifice and to support the Argentine family.
“Our neighbor, Lance Cpl. James D. Argentine, gave his all to protect our freedoms and our way of life,” Mayor Starkie said in the release.
