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| Galesburg-Area Resident Attends Patch Funeral; Thanks Soldiers, and the Media |
A Galesburg-area resident says he just wanted to say thank you for the sacrifice an area soldier gave when he was killed several weeks ago in the line of duty.
Pat Hennenfent of Wataga is a part of the Patriot Guard Riders, who showed up in force Saturday for the funeral of 25-year old Sergeant Schuyler Patch of Galva. The Kewanee native and member of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop Second Battalion, 106th Calvary was one of several people who died February 24th when a roadside bomb detonated in southern Afghanistan, while assigned to provide security and other forces as part of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The Patriot Guard were in attendance for Patch's funeral yesterday at Wethersfield High School in Kewanee.
Hennenfent tells WGIL he and the rest of the Patriot Guard are ensuring an important message is sent. "Every member of the military is a hometown hero," Hennenfent said. "Sgt. Patch paid the ultimate price, and we have a lot of soldiers who have been to Iraq, who are home now, and are still paying the price. Once they get home, it's not over. We're learning that the hard way."
Hennenfent tells WGIL the Kewanee community, and really the whole region, has certainly supported their hero. "When we came down in the procession (Thursday), every town we went to, a multitude of people were out, waving flags, had their signs -- just makes you really proud to be an American."
Hennenfent even thanked the media for being in attendance, saying it was important that everyone know how Kewanee honored Patch.
While reporters were not allowed in the service, roughly 500 people packed Wethersfield's gym for the service.
A sampling of some of the businesses and others in downtown Kewanee who showed their support and respect for Sgt. Patch and his family...
(WGIL News Photos. Story by Will Stevenson.) |
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| 03 07 09 by Newsroom |
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