“Our soldiers have nobly fought to protect freedom since our country’s birth, and have fought to protect those that could not protect themselves, even in foreign lands when called upon.” — John Linder
The admirable courage and inspiring selflessness that veterans displayed while they were in duty deserves to live on in our memories. There’s no doubt that if there is anyone who deserves our utmost respect, it is none other than our war veteran heroes who risked their lives for ours.
Thomas Hunter, a war veteran who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, was part of a generation who lived through one of the most significant conflicts in modern history. Like many of his peers, he served during the early 1940s and was part of the Allied war effort during World War II.
After serving in the army by the end of 1949, Mr. Thomas Hunter returned to civilian life in Louisiana. However, the war veteran did not get married. It seemed that he remained close to his large family, including his 11 siblings.
Sadly, on the 12th day of September, 2017, Mr. Thomas Hunter took his last breath. At the ripe age of 93, the war veteran who served during World War II passed away, leaving behind a few nieces.
But since Mr. Hunter managed to outlive most of his immediate family, none of his close relatives were available to serve as pallbearers for his funeral. During the planning of his funeral, his surviving nieces were unsure who they could ask to carry Mr. Thomas Hunter’s casket.
Fortunately, the funeral director at Southern Funeral Homes in Winnfield, Louisiana knew what to do. Bryan Price, the director, reached out to local football coach Lyn Bankston to ask for help.
The local football coach then asked if any of the young men he knew would be willing to carry the casket of a war veteran. Knowing that these young men do not only possess strong leadership skills but also an admirable kind heart, he knew they would be more than willing to lend a hand.
He asked Brett Jurek, Justin Lawson, Matthew Harrell, T.J. Homan, Lee Estay, and Christian Evans if they would be willing to help out the deceased war veteran. Not disappointing the expectations of the local coach, they immediately agreed to help after learning about Mr. Thomas Hunter’s story.
“These are all young men who are leaders in our program and our community. They know the sacrifice Mr. Hunter made and it meant something to them.” Lyn Bankston explained.
The young men even asked whether it would be okay for them to wear their football jerseys.
“The kids asked if it was appropriate for them to wear their jerseys, and I said absolutely it was because you and this program stand for exactly what Mr. Hunter stood for when he was serving this country.” Coach Bankston shared.
To honor the service Mr. Thomas Hunter rendered to his country during World War II, the six young football players carried his casket with pride. They sent the war veteran off in a somber and solemn ceremony.
To acknowledge the efforts of the six young athletes, U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham praised the gesture of the football players during his speech on the House floor.
“They didn’t know this man, but they knew that every veteran deserves to die with dignity and be honored for the sacrifices he made in defense of this nation.” U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham said. “I think the actions of these young men speak volumes about what’s truly important – country, community, family, God.” The representative added.
Meanwhile, Coach Bankston expressed pride in the gesture his players displayed.
“One of the things we try to teach our young people is to value history and to recognize that so many people sacrificed so they could have the life they have.” Coach Bankston proudly shared.
Kudos to the young football players, the war veteran who served our country was not sent off alone. After all, no war veteran of any generation deserves to be forgotten, because if not for the lives they risked, we would not be here today.
Watch the heartwarming video below from USA Today and may their story remind us not to forget the heroes who stood up for our country.
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Proud of these young men for stepping up. And I believe they volunteered, not voluntold. If you want to lay blame on why an Honor Guard detail wasn’t present, ask the funeral home. They’re supposed to have contact information for every military installation within their radius for this purpose. If our NCOIC wasn’t contacted by a funeral director, it was a family member.
I spent 2.5 years on a base Honor Guard. We covered a good portion of TX, AR, and OK. It’s been a lot of years, and the policies and coverage today has changed, but this veteran was entitled to a 3 person team, minimum. Flag fold, Taps, presentation of flag, rifle volley. Casket carry isn’t covered unless we were able to bring a 7 person team. Only twice was I part of a short (1 day) notice funeral request were we couldn’t field a full 8 member team and had to go with 4. Retirees get 8 person teams, active duty 22-23 person teams. Burial at Arlington is different.
Bitsy Coulston, may God bless you for your eloquent remarks.
God bless these young men and their coach only a truly dark and deeply Disturbed heart could find any fault in what these young men did God bless the veteran and Godspeed go home now faithful Soldier
for those that disliked the way these young men was asked to be the pallbearer to this soldier SHAME ON YOU NOT FOR NOTHING BUT THESE MEN DIDNT HAVE TO CARRY THIS VETERN THEY CHOSE TO JUST TO HONOR THIS MAN. These young men will probably be the next in line to be in the millitary and hope that if something should ever happen to them the same coach will honor them as they did with this vetern
14609 KK, you really suck.
Pallbearer has nothing to do with the local VFW or American Legion or other military groups.
Pallbearer is a family choice. I was on funeral detail in the US Army for an assignment. A Senator in Georgia. Nice family. Hard duty.
Pallbearer can be family, or friends, or military honorguard. The article did not specify whether there was an honor guard there or not or at least I didn’t read it anywhere. I think even a military Honor Guard will walk beside the casket if the family wants personal pallbearers to carry the casket. I cannot believe that you would say something akin to the statement that you made.
Nobody made those boys do anything to it said right there in the article that they even asked to wear their football uniforms. Football players for the most part in this country are very patriotic. There’s always a few setbacks and naysayers. It’s a good thing you go by a numerical identification instead of a name because I think you would have just drug your own name through the mud.
Like the lady did a couple of comments down from yours. People are so hateful and just have to hate on anything and everything. This was a great man, and these boys did a wonderful thing. War begins at the individual level.
With words.
Peace
It would have been nice if it was a child who heard about the dead vet and then asked his fellow students, but this was a Coach asking the kids, and like a teacher or parent a coach “asking” mean much different then one student asking another student. A coach ASKING isn’t really asking. I bet a few of the student will never forget what their coach once MADE them do. Next time call an active millitary office and they will send real active troops in uniform. This vet deserved better then this.