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Story Archives: Fallen heroes honored (Citizen photo presentation included)


Fallen heroes honored (Citizen photo presentation included)
by Scott Rogers - posted Thursday, May 29th, 2008 @ 10:00 amE-mail Story E-mail Story | Print Story Print Story 
As Carole Bryant tied patriotic balloons around Kiroli Park's bandstand Monday for the Blue Star Mothers' Memorial Day service, it was obvious her thoughts were thousands of miles away.

Her husband, Josh, is currently serving his first tour in Iraq. He arrived there May 1.

Bryant, who lives near Farmerville, said she joined the Blue Star Mothers organization in November because she was looking to meet others who knew what she was going through.

"They are always there for me to talk to … and with a husband in Iraq, I always need someone to talk to," she said as she moved around the bandstand with dozens of balloons.

"This is just a wonderful group, and we do a lot of things to provide support for each other. We also do what we can to let the troops know that even though they are half a world away, there are people here who love them and care about them," Bryant said.

Dozens of people braved the hot sun Monday to show their support of the troops and to honor several local families who lost loved ones fighting in Iraq.

Nine families were given wreaths adorned in red, white and blue to honor their loved ones who have recently died in service to the United States.

Pictures of the soldiers were displayed near the wreaths and a moment of silence was held for them.

Before the ceremony, Jerry Powell proudly fixed pictures and artwork of his son, Cpl. Chad Powell, 22, who was killed in action in Fallujah, Iraq on June 23, 2005.

Jayme Watson of the Blue Star Mothers of Northeast Louisiana, said, "We are made up of moms, dads, spouses and siblings (of soldiers), and we work to give support to one another in the good times and the bad. We also give support to the troops to let them know that they are loved. Because while we sleep, we can rest knowing that we are being protected by the best of the best —our sons and daughters. America will be forever grateful for those represented today. They fought the good fight."

Blue Star Mothers member Sandra Hearn added, "We will remember them always."

The fallen soldiers honored Monday included Powell, Spc. Charles E. Leonard Jr., 29, who was killed in action Aug. 5, 2007, in Baghdad; Lance Cpl. Mathew R. Barnes, 20, who was killed in action Feb. 14, 2006, in Quaim, Iraq; Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Lee Deal, 23, who was killed in action May 17, 2006, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq; Sgt. Terry Wallace, 33, who was killed in action June 27, 2006 in Tafi, Iraq; Lance Cpl. Jon Eric Bowman, 21, who was killed in action Oct. 9, 2006, in Ramadi, Iraq; Pfc. Torey Dantzler, 22, who was killed in action July 22, 2004, in Samarra, Iraq; Lance Cpl. Donald Champlin, 28, who died Aug. 28, 2006, from wounds received the day before in Al Anbar Province, Iraq; and 1st Lt. Jacob Fritz who was killed in action Jan. 20, 2007, in Karbala, Iraq.
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