A Fallen Hero Comes Home - Police Provide Escort
This letter was written by Sr. Inv. Jack Graham, Troop D, to
members of the NY State Police and Syracuse Police who participated in
an
impromptu, ceremonial escort for a 19-year-old soldier, Gregory P.
Huxley Jr.,
who was**killed in action in Iraq on April 6, 2003.
On Thursday, April 17, 2003, you participated in an Escort Detail
for Gregory P. Huxley Jr.
On behalf of the entire Huxley family and from me, personally
"Thank you** very much." The sincere dedication and emotions that you
displayed meant so* much to the Huxley family, that words cannot
describe their
feelings at this* time.
What most did not know was that the US Army had promised the
family members that they would be taken to Dover, Delaware to be
present when
their son arrived from Iraq and there would be a full military ceremony
for
Gregory in Dover.
Unfortunately, there was a communication problem and they
were not* present during that ceremony.
Then they were informed that the body of their son was being flown to
Syracuse and that the funeral director could pick up the "fallen
soldier" at* the
cargo area of the airport and that somebody would help them remove the
casket
from the cardboard shipping container for transport to Boonville, NY.
That was found to be totally unacceptable for a 19-year-old kid
that gave his life for this country and for the freedom of so many
others. As
a family* friend, the funeral director contacted me to see if anything
could
be done.*
We now had six hours before Gregory arrived in Syracuse.
Phone calls were made to SP North Syracuse and Sgt. Nick Harmatiuk took
over
from there. What you participated in and observed the rest of that day
was
truly an outstanding display of what this agency can do in very short
time.**
What happened, was just overwhelming.
From SP North Syracuse the procession left, led by eight Syracuse PD**
motorcycles, followed by the hearse, four cars with family members
followed* by 10
State Police and Syracuse PD cars.
How ironic it was that as the procession was traveling parallel to
the runway, the plane carrying Gregory landed next to us. We were able
to
enter the planes cargo and rid his casket of the shipping crate and
drape the
American flag over it.
When the casket traveled down the conveyor belt, 15 New York State
Troopers
and 15 Syracuse Policemen lined the path to the awaiting hearse.
All came to** attention and saluted as six State Troopers carried the
flag-draped coffin* towards the hearse.
After a short prayer, the family was given some time to welcome
their son** home. The entire airport was so quiet; I looked up at the
windows
of the concourses and saw a hundred people there, all standing,
watching,
with their hands over there hearts, saluting a young man that they did
not know.
Somehow they were told, that a fallen soldier had come home and they
wanted
to share the moment with us.
The casket was then placed in the hearse and the procession left
the airport* in the same fashion as we arrived, only this time with a
young
hero that our hearts will never forget.
The motorcade was escorted to the Thruway entrance by the Syracuse
Police
Department's motorcycles; all traffic was stopped for the procession
and we*
headed east towards Boonville.
After getting off the Thruway, we found that at every intersection that
the
procession encountered had been blocked by* more State Troopers,
allowing safe
passage with no interruptions.
As we traveled through these intersections, every State Trooper
stood at attention and saluted the fallen soldier and his
family—honoring
Gregory and giving him and his family the sincere respect and
thankfulness that
they deserved.
How emotional it was to see and to reflect on now; words
cannot describe what that was like.
When entering the Village of Boonville, the main street was
decorated with* so many American Flags and yellow ribbons. As we
approached
the center of town, all of the church bells began to chime at once.
Hundreds of
people were there lining the street, all holding American Flags, and
all of
them weeping for Gregory and for what he sacrificed for us and this
country.
As we drove by the village park, the National Anthem was being
played for* Gregory, and I think, for us. At the funeral home, eight
veterans lifted the casket out of the hearse and into the home with the
family. Gregory, had arrived back in his home town.
I give you that description of events because not all of you took
part in the entire process and I feel that you needed to know. I also
think
that you need to know what Gregory's family said to me, later — that
— the
images of* the six State Troopers lifting their son in his flag draped
casket
off of* the airplane; of all the State Troopers standing at attention
and
saluting** their son; of the State Troopers standing on the street
corners, at
attention and saluting, honoring their son, and of the State Police
escorts* from
Syracuse to Boonville, these sights, and now their
memories, will always be etched in their hearts, forever.
But the one memory that will always be there first, was of the
State Troopers standing at attention at the airport, saluting, with
tears running* down the troopers' cheeks, for their son — a fallen
soldier, a
hero — who those Troopers never knew personally.
Our jobs take many different avenues in life, we hope that during
our day or* shift, that we have made a difference, a positive
attribute.
Well, on Thursday, April 17, 2003, you did just that. You let an entire
family know, * that you cared, that you were sincere in your caring and
the thanks
that you** displayed for Gregory and his family.
Their words to me about you, told me just that. We made a
difference* yesterday, and we did in style.
The rewards we receive for details like this do not come from
anywhere but* from your heart. Take pride in what you accomplished
yesterday
- because you* accomplished so much.
I have had so many good things happen since I have been a State
Trooper, but*
in the 24 years, I have never been prouder of the New York State Police
as I*
was yesterday.
A fallen soldier, a hero, a son and a brother has finally come
home, in deserving grand style, thanks to you.
Sr. Inv. Jack Graham
--- Begin Message ---
>>> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 06/18/03 12:44AM >>>
A Fallen Hero Comes Home
A Fallen Hero Comes Home - Police Provide Escort
This letter was written by Sr. Inv. Jack Graham, Troop D, to
members of the NY State Police and Syracuse Police who participated in
an
impromptu, ceremonial escort for a 19-year-old soldier, Gregory P.
Huxley Jr.,
who was**killed in action in Iraq on April 6, 2003.
On Thursday, April 17, 2003, you participated in an Escort Detail
for Gregory P. Huxley Jr.
On behalf of the entire Huxley family and from me, personally
"Thank you** very much." The sincere dedication and emotions that you
displayed meant so* much to the Huxley family, that words cannot
describe their
feelings at this* time.
What most did not know was that the US Army had promised the
family members that they would be taken to Dover, Delaware to be
present when
their son arrived from Iraq and there would be a full military ceremony
for
Gregory in Dover.
Unfortunately, there was a communication problem and they
were not* present during that ceremony.
Then they were informed that the body of their son was being flown to
Syracuse and that the funeral director could pick up the "fallen
soldier" at* the
cargo area of the airport and that somebody would help them remove the
casket
from the cardboard shipping container for transport to Boonville, NY.
That was found to be totally unacceptable for a 19-year-old kid
that gave his life for this country and for the freedom of so many
others. As
a family* friend, the funeral director contacted me to see if anything
could
be done.*
We now had six hours before Gregory arrived in Syracuse.
Phone calls were made to SP North Syracuse and Sgt. Nick Harmatiuk took
over
from there. What you participated in and observed the rest of that day
was
truly an outstanding display of what this agency can do in very short
time.**
What happened, was just overwhelming.
>From SP North Syracuse the procession left, led by eight Syracuse PD**
motorcycles, followed by the hearse, four cars with family members
followed* by 10
State Police and Syracuse PD cars.
How ironic it was that as the procession was traveling parallel to
the runway, the plane carrying Gregory landed next to us. We were able
to
enter the planes cargo and rid his casket of the shipping crate and
drape the
American flag over it.
When the casket traveled down the conveyor belt, 15 New York State
Troopers
and 15 Syracuse Policemen lined the path to the awaiting hearse.
All came to** attention and saluted as six State Troopers carried the
flag-draped coffin* towards the hearse.
After a short prayer, the family was given some time to welcome
their son** home. The entire airport was so quiet; I looked up at the
windows
of the concourses and saw a hundred people there, all standing,
watching,
with their hands over there hearts, saluting a young man that they did
not know.
Somehow they were told, that a fallen soldier had come home and they
wanted
to share the moment with us.
The casket was then placed in the hearse and the procession left
the airport* in the same fashion as we arrived, only this time with a
young
hero that our hearts will never forget.
The motorcade was escorted to the Thruway entrance by the Syracuse
Police
Department's motorcycles; all traffic was stopped for the procession
and we*
headed east towards Boonville.
After getting off the Thruway, we found that at every intersection that
the
procession encountered had been blocked by* more State Troopers,
allowing safe
passage with no interruptions.
As we traveled through these intersections, every State Trooper
stood at attention and saluted the fallen soldier and his
family�honoring
Gregory and giving him and his family the sincere respect and
thankfulness that
they deserved.
How emotional it was to see and to reflect on now; words
cannot describe what that was like.
When entering the Village of Boonville, the main street was
decorated with* so many American Flags and yellow ribbons. As we
approached
the center of town, all of the church bells began to chime at once.
Hundreds of
people were there lining the street, all holding American Flags, and
all of
them weeping for Gregory and for what he sacrificed for us and this
country.
As we drove by the village park, the National Anthem was being
played for* Gregory, and I think, for us. At the funeral home, eight
veterans lifted the casket out of the hearse and into the home with the
family. Gregory, had arrived back in his home town.
I give you that description of events because not all of you took
part in the entire process and I feel that you needed to know. I also
think
that you need to know what Gregory's family said to me, later � that
� the
images of* the six State Troopers lifting their son in his flag draped
casket
off of* the airplane; of all the State Troopers standing at attention
and
saluting** their son; of the State Troopers standing on the street
corners, at
attention and saluting, honoring their son, and of the State Police
escorts* from
Syracuse to Boonville, these sights, and now their
memories, will always be etched in their hearts, forever.
But the one memory that will always be there first, was of the
State Troopers standing at attention at the airport, saluting, with
tears running* down the troopers' cheeks, for their son � a fallen
soldier, a
hero � who those Troopers never knew personally.
Our jobs take many different avenues in life, we hope that during
our day or* shift, that we have made a difference, a positive
attribute.
Well, on Thursday, April 17, 2003, you did just that. You let an entire
family know, * that you cared, that you were sincere in your caring and
the thanks
that you** displayed for Gregory and his family.
Their words to me about you, told me just that. We made a
difference* yesterday, and we did in style.
The rewards we receive for details like this do not come from
anywhere but* from your heart. Take pride in what you accomplished
yesterday
- because you* accomplished so much.
I have had so many good things happen since I have been a State
Trooper, but*
in the 24 years, I have never been prouder of the New York State Police
as I*
was yesterday.
A fallen soldier, a hero, a son and a brother has finally come
home, in deserving grand style, thanks to you.
Sr. Inv. Jack Graham
--- End Message ---
