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Message to Talberts: God is On Their Side
A Galesburg woman says there was a simple reason she attended the funeral service Friday at Bethel Baptist Church in Galesburg for Army Specialist Christopher Talbert.

"I'm mainly just paying respect to the family." Linda Van Fleet of Galesburg was one of hundreds who attended the service for Talbert, who died last week in Afghanistan when a roadside bomb detonated near his vehicle.

Van Fleet tells WGIL as the Talberts try to comprehend why their son was taken from them all too soon, there's something important they need to remember. "Just remember that God is there with you," Van Fleet said.

Torie Johnson of Galesburg is Van Fleet's daughter. Johnson tells WGIL Specialist Talbert lost his life so all Americans could continue to live theirs. "God is with them," Johnson said. "God has a plan for everybody. Unfortunately, this is Chris' -- but he died so a lot of people could sleep at night."

Johnson's six-year old daughter was with her mom Friday, holding an American flag. One of many that have been flown or otherwise displayed since Talbert made his final journey home Tuesday.

Hundreds of Patriot Guard motorcycle riders also made the trek to the church, and to the burial in Knoxville Cemetery afterwards.





(WGIL News Story by Mike Perry & Will Stevenson; Photos by Dominic Fortini.)
07 17 09 by Newsroom
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