My cousins body, what they could find of it that is, was escorted into Paris TN today by the Patriot Guard. The funeral is going to be either Monday or Tuesday.
His humvee was hit by mortar round and he and the other guy from his unit in the humvee were both killed instantly. There was nothing anyone could do. The entire truck was blown up. They found what they could and sadly, my cousin is being buried without his right arm. It will be a closed casket funeral. They said the body is too destroyed for viewing.
He was 27 years old and I was mistaken in how many children he had. His girlfriend had just given birth to my cousins first son in March. He leaves behind 2 daughters, ages 8 and 2, and one son age 4 1/2 months. He had named his son Joshua after my brother.
My brother has managed to get approved for leave from Germany. He will be in tomorrow evening and I will be riding down to the funeral with him. I am glad to get to see my brother, but my heart hearts for the circumstances that brings him home.
Of our immediate direct family descent, my cousin is the first loss we have had in combat since the civil war. That is a long time to have family in combat and have them all come home.
Of my two grandparents, our family numbered 80...they had 9 children, 35 grandchildren, and I think there are 33 or 34 great grandchildren. That is including step children too. Such a large family we have and for the most part we are all really close and MOST of my family will be there for Justin's memorial services.
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