Blog Dare: 110


Today's Prompt: Why I need...to say thank you.

Why I need... to say thank you. My home town, Pacific/Catawissa, Missouri; lost a hero and saying thank you just doesn't seem like enough. The town I was raised in, rallied together on Saturday by standing in the rain, to pay respect to a young man who chose to serve his country, and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Army Spc. Jeffrey L. White Jr.
Died April 3, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

21, of Catawissa, Mo., assigned to 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; died April 3, in Khost province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device.

The Associated Press
PACIFIC, Mo. — The body of a soldier killed in Afghanistan is coming home.

The remains of Army Spc. Jeffrey White Jr., 21, of Catawissa are scheduled to arrive in St. Louis on April 14, according to The Washington Missourian. White died April 3 in Khost province of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device.

His funeral will be held April 18, at Jefferson National Barracks.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
4/6/2012 - A U.S. Army carry team transfers the remains of Army Spc. Jeffrey L. White Jr. of Catawissa, Mo., at Dover Air Force Base, Del., April 5, 2012. White was assigned to the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Ala. (U.S. Air Force photo/Steve Kotecki)
Sue Sweet - RebelPhotography
Thank you Spc. Jeffrey L. White, for serving this great nation and defending our freedom! I know of no greater sacrifice, than the price that you paid on behalf of a grateful nation!
  • Thank you to all of the residents of Pacific, Missouri who welcomed his procession, from the airport to the funeral home. It was pouring down rain, and yet you paid tribute in his honor.
  • Thank you to the Flag Man, Larry Eckhardt of Little York, IL for the cavalcade of flags, that lined the highway and welcomed this soldier home.
  • Thank you to whomever thought of having dump trucks, and large pieces of construction equipment "break down," at the entrance to the church, so that protesters could not see the family or those attending the funeral service.
  • Thank you to the 450+ Action Riders, Freedom of the Road, Patriot Guard, and the Christian Motor Cycle Association for attending the welcome home procession, visitation, and funeral. Your service is humbling and moving!
  • Thank you to the St. Louis Cardinals for having Jeffery's family take part in the Opening Day ceremonies, and to ask them to hang the Championship flag, as he was a huge Cards fan!
  • Thank you to his parents and brothers, as I can not fathom the pain and loss you are bearing at this time! Your son paid a price, that as a Nation we will never be able to pay back. Thank you.
I did not know Spc. Jeffery L. White, I had never met him, but I needed to say thank you. We grew up in the same small town and attended Pacific High School, but we were years apart in age. So, I did not have the honor of meeting Jeffery, but I wanted to say thank you. We will never forget! May God Bless you and your family!  

KSDK Funeral coverage Link
St. Louis Cardinals and KSDK Link

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