thedrifter
09-14-07, 08:41 AM
Hundreds line streets to pay their respects
Lindsay McReynolds
Herald-Citizen Staff
COOKEVILLE -- Hundreds of people lined the streets last night between White County and Cookeville to pay respect to a U.S. Marine from Cookeville who was killed in Iraq last week.
The body of 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Lance Murphy Clark arrived at the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport on a Kalitta Charters plane shortly after 6 last night, where more than a hundred people including family, friends, members of law enforcement, emergency and rescue crews and the Patriot Guard were waiting.
The plane was greeted by a salute from seven uniformed U.S. Marines, who escorted Lance Cpl. Clark's casket from the plane to the hearse of Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home.
This is the third time U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Roger Kraft has had to coordinate a funeral for a U.S. Marine since he began his job with the 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines in Nashville five months ago.
Gunnery Sgt. Kraft's responsibility is to coordinate the Patriot Guard, a group of volunteers providing escorts for military funeral processionals, with police and to carry out the standards of the U.S. Marine Corps from the time the family is notified of a U.S. Marine's death to the time the Marine is laid to rest.
Lance Cpl. Clark will receive the same treatment as countless other Marines who have been killed while serving their country, beginning with the arrival of his body last night to casket guard by U.S. Marines during visitation tonight, tomorrow night and Saturday to the 21-gun salute at the gravesite on Saturday and the presentation of American flags to Lance Cpl. Clark's family.
"There will be at least 20 to 25 Marines at the gravesite to honor Lance," Gunnery Sgt. Kraft said. "This is just the first step."
The Patriot Guard also came out last night with flags and motorcycles to honor Lance Cpl. Clark.
The national group regularly provides escorts in military-type processionals.
"We're here when we're invited by the family," said Annette Robeck, Tennessee's captain for the Patriot Guard who came from Antioch to lead last night's group. "We're here to escort this hero home. We're showing him the honor and respect he deserves."
As the processional honoring Lance Cpl. Clark made its way from the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport in White County to the Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home on South Jefferson Avenue in Cookeville, hundreds of supporters lined the streets waving flags and signs.
Family and friends traveling in cars behind the hearse carrying Lance Cpl. Clark wiped away tears as they drove through crowds, many with their hats off and their hands over their hearts.
All along South Jefferson Avenue, people crowded in front of gas stations and restaurants. Those working at businesses along South Jefferson Avenue came outside to see the processional.
A giant-sized flag welcomed the processional as it neared the Putnam County Courthouse, and even more people stood waving flags.
One man said he came from Livingston to pay his respect to Lance Cpl. Clark.
"The appreciation of what he did so we can be free," said Jerry Cravins, who came to Cookeville to honor Lance Cpl. Clark with his wife and friends.
The processional ended at Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home on South Jefferson Avenue.
Those who wish to pay their respects to Lance Cpl. Clark may also line the streets again on Saturday during a processional to the gravesite where the U.S. Marine will be laid to rest.
Lance Cpl. Clark's funeral processional is expected to leave Stevens Street Baptist Church at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday following the funeral.
From there, the processional will travel north on Willow Avenue, east on Spring Street, then north on Highway 111 to Livingston. From there, the processional will travel north on Highway 84 to the Bethlehem Cemetery.
Published September 13, 2007 12:35 PM CDT
Ellie
Lindsay McReynolds
Herald-Citizen Staff
COOKEVILLE -- Hundreds of people lined the streets last night between White County and Cookeville to pay respect to a U.S. Marine from Cookeville who was killed in Iraq last week.
The body of 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Lance Murphy Clark arrived at the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport on a Kalitta Charters plane shortly after 6 last night, where more than a hundred people including family, friends, members of law enforcement, emergency and rescue crews and the Patriot Guard were waiting.
The plane was greeted by a salute from seven uniformed U.S. Marines, who escorted Lance Cpl. Clark's casket from the plane to the hearse of Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home.
This is the third time U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Roger Kraft has had to coordinate a funeral for a U.S. Marine since he began his job with the 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines in Nashville five months ago.
Gunnery Sgt. Kraft's responsibility is to coordinate the Patriot Guard, a group of volunteers providing escorts for military funeral processionals, with police and to carry out the standards of the U.S. Marine Corps from the time the family is notified of a U.S. Marine's death to the time the Marine is laid to rest.
Lance Cpl. Clark will receive the same treatment as countless other Marines who have been killed while serving their country, beginning with the arrival of his body last night to casket guard by U.S. Marines during visitation tonight, tomorrow night and Saturday to the 21-gun salute at the gravesite on Saturday and the presentation of American flags to Lance Cpl. Clark's family.
"There will be at least 20 to 25 Marines at the gravesite to honor Lance," Gunnery Sgt. Kraft said. "This is just the first step."
The Patriot Guard also came out last night with flags and motorcycles to honor Lance Cpl. Clark.
The national group regularly provides escorts in military-type processionals.
"We're here when we're invited by the family," said Annette Robeck, Tennessee's captain for the Patriot Guard who came from Antioch to lead last night's group. "We're here to escort this hero home. We're showing him the honor and respect he deserves."
As the processional honoring Lance Cpl. Clark made its way from the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport in White County to the Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home on South Jefferson Avenue in Cookeville, hundreds of supporters lined the streets waving flags and signs.
Family and friends traveling in cars behind the hearse carrying Lance Cpl. Clark wiped away tears as they drove through crowds, many with their hats off and their hands over their hearts.
All along South Jefferson Avenue, people crowded in front of gas stations and restaurants. Those working at businesses along South Jefferson Avenue came outside to see the processional.
A giant-sized flag welcomed the processional as it neared the Putnam County Courthouse, and even more people stood waving flags.
One man said he came from Livingston to pay his respect to Lance Cpl. Clark.
"The appreciation of what he did so we can be free," said Jerry Cravins, who came to Cookeville to honor Lance Cpl. Clark with his wife and friends.
The processional ended at Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home on South Jefferson Avenue.
Those who wish to pay their respects to Lance Cpl. Clark may also line the streets again on Saturday during a processional to the gravesite where the U.S. Marine will be laid to rest.
Lance Cpl. Clark's funeral processional is expected to leave Stevens Street Baptist Church at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday following the funeral.
From there, the processional will travel north on Willow Avenue, east on Spring Street, then north on Highway 111 to Livingston. From there, the processional will travel north on Highway 84 to the Bethlehem Cemetery.
Published September 13, 2007 12:35 PM CDT
Ellie