©2011 Galesburg Broadcasting Co.
| Slain Soldier Welcomed Home |
The body of a Mercer County soldier shot and killed by enemy small arms fire in Afghanistan last week returned home Saturday.
Patriot Guard riders escorted 25-year-old Corporal B.J. Luxmore and his family from the Quad City International Airport to Aledo. Thousands of flags lined the procession on IL-17. There seemed to be just as many supporters.
Resident Pam Spangler was waiting for the caravan to roll into Central Park.
"My son was in the military also and has been discharged-- it's a community thing," Spangler said on her reasons for coming out Saturday. "We want to support the family. I don't know the Luxmore's, but my heart and prayers go out with them."
Spangler says her son went to high school with Luxmore's wife of only eight months. Jamie and B.J. had borne a son, Lane.
Zane Lower is the widow's cousin.
"It's been pretty tough, she's (Jamie Luxmore) really hurtin'," the 19-year-old Aledo resident said. "The whole family came out here today to show their support. It just shows ya, we're a pretty close family-- we're there for her no matter what."
Lower says Saturday's 'Hero's Welcome' for Luxmore was "breathtaking."
Visitation for the New Windsor man is being held Monday at Sherrard High School from 3 to 8pm. Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:30am Tuesday at the high school.
For a complete photo album of Saturday's Patriot Guard procession and 'Hero's Welcome' check out the WGIL Facebook page.
(WGIL Photos and News Story by Kyle Schassburger).
|
|
| 06 16 12 by Newsroom |
Click here for the WGIL News Archive
Click here for national news
The following provision applies to all visitors (which shall include persons and representatives of legal entities, whether such representatives are persons or digital engines of a kind that crawls, indexes, scrapes, copies, stores or transmits digital content). By accessing this Web site or digital service, you specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium; (ii) No Associated Press materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use; (iii) The Associated Press will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing; (iv) The Associated Press is an intended third party beneficiary of these terms and conditions and it may exercise all rights and remedies available to it; and (v) The Associated Press reserves the right to audit possible unauthorized commercial use of AP materials or any portion thereof at any time.
