May 1, 1980 - October 26, 2005
Thanks for what you've given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in heaven
From now through evermore.
Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word!
Media Coverage of Sgt. Evan S. Parker's Funeral Services:
Town honors its fallen son
~ The Witchita Eagle ~
Several pictures available at link above.
Evan Parker was all smiles and hard work, friends and family say
SOUTH HAVEN - The Rev. Michael Roberts says he can't get out of his mind the image of Evan Parker tearing up and down the streets of South Haven.
Roberts officiated at Sgt. Evan Parker's funeral Wednesday, attended by several hundred people in the South Haven High School gymnasium.
"His friends and family all remember him for his smiles," said Roberts, pastor of the South Haven United Methodist Church.
Parker's minister, former teachers, uncle and commanding officer eulogized him as a competitive athlete, a family man and hero.
Parker, 25, died Oct. 26 in Landstuhl, Germany, where he was flown after being wounded in a bombing attack in Iraq.
Going into the funeral, mourners walked past protesters who carried signs and screamed that soldiers are being killed overseas because God is punishing America.
The service also drew more than 150 American Legion Patriot Guard members, who used their motorcycles to screen the protesters from the mourners. Law enforcement officers from across the region also were on hand.
Inside the gymnasium, an American flag lay under Parker's head in the open casket. His Army fatigues were neatly folded at the foot of the casket. A table with his military medals, including his two Purple Hearts, was off to the side.
During the funeral, Parker's casket was closed and draped with a flag.
Parker was born in Wichita. He moved to South Haven in 1985 after his parents divorced. He graduated in 1998 from South Haven High School.
Parker joined the Army in 1999 and was discharged in 2003. His Army Reserve unit was activated last November and he was sent to Iraq this past spring.
Parker was divorced and had two young sons, Blake and Conner.
His former teachers praised his determination and grit.
"You only had to look at his eyes and you could see his heart," said John Showman, Parker's science teacher and basketball coach. "Every time, he'd give 150 percent of himself."
Showman said Parker never had to be pumped with enthusiasm at game time.
"I'd have to tell Evan to relax and slow down," he said. "I'd have to take him out of the game because he flat wore out and gave his all."
Lloyd Dunlap, Parker's uncle, spoke about a hometown boy who was quick to forgive.
Brig. Gen. Vern Miyagi called Parker a hero and a leader.
"He did his duty," said Miyagi, commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard.
A procession more than a mile long followed the funeral to Parker's burial in the Rose Hill Cemetery, near South Haven. As the procession passed through town, residents came out of their homes and stood watching as the cars slowly went by.
At the cemetery, law enforcement officers gathered around Parker's grave.
Parker was given a 21-gun salute and his family was presented a folded American flag.
American Legionnaire John Judd of Arkansas City watched silently as the services were completed.
"It's part of my duty and I'm here because I'm an American," Judd said.
Link to Legacy Guestbook for Sgt. Parker - post a comment
Courtesy of The Witchita Eagle
Fallen Kansas Soldier Honored In His Hometown
~ KAKE-TV ~
Video Available at the above link (no mention of the American Legion Riders and just a brief mention that Phelps "Left without incident")
Memorial Established in Parker's Memory
~ Wellington Daily News ~
A memorial fund has been established for the organization that houses Americans who travel to Europe to claim loved ones killed in the war. Contributions can be sent to the Evan S. Parker fund, Landstuhl Fisher House, CMR 402 Box 669, APO AE, 09180.
Correction for link to the Wellington Daily News Story...
http://www.wgtndailynews.com/articles/2005/11/01/news/news3.txt
Sorry about that!
Thank you for the report on SGT Parker's funeral. Now he can rest in peace.
Thanks to everyone that contributed to the effort to give comfort to this hero's family and friends.