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Soldier killed in Iraq buried in beloved 'Dixie'
SouthEast Sun Online ^ | 30 July 2003 | Carole Brand

Posted on 08/14/2003 8:38:45 PM PDT by stainlessbanner

An Elba hero was laid to rest Sunday afternoon after more than 550 people filed into the small Baptist church and fellowship hall in the Victoria community to pay their final respects to soldier Jason Jordan and his family.

Some people said they came to the memorial service because the hometown boy had made the ultimate sacrifice for his country; some came because they had known Jordan all their lives; and some came because they worked with Jordan or a family member. Whatever the reason they attended, people braved the humid temperatures of the hot summer afternoon to bid their native son goodbye.

Jordan, a member of the 101st Airborne Division, was killed July 20 in Iraq, along with his best friend Sgt. Justin Garvey, when they were attacked with grenades and small arms fire. Both were assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, from Fort Campbell, Ky.

He was the son of William "Danny" and Sandra Olene Jordan of Elba. Jordan, now resting in the beloved land he called Dixie, said the Rev. Mack King, was finally home.

King, who gave the eulogy for the afternoon service, said "Jason grew up in Elba and he was proud to be from the South. Whenever anyone asked him where he was from, he always replied, 'I'm from Dixie.'"

As the first song of the service "Dixie" was played, mourners wiped their eyes to hear the verse "to live and die in Dixie," which King said was the song most fitting to Jason and what he would have wanted. King, a lifelong friend of the family, said he knew Jason well and watched him grow up.

"The most important decision Jason ever made was accepting Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Today, life goes on for Jason in another world - a place of freedom, a place of justice, a place of democracy, and a place where there is no more war. Jason gave us all. Thank you Jason."

Designated pews inside the church were filled with Jordan's classmates and firefighters who work with Jordan's father at Fort Rucker. Other pews inside the church and fellowship hall were filled with family members and friends. Others stood outside the church to hear services over loud speakers.

King told them to remember the good times. "Keep your memories close and Jason will always be with us."

As the honor detail from the U.S. Army Aviation Center at Fort Rucker removed Jordan's flag-covered casket from the church to the graveside across the road, "God Bless the USA," played as family members and friends walked behind.

Brig. Gen. Edward Sinclair, representing the Army chief of staff and deputy commanding general at Fort Rucker, presented Jordan's family with the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Sinclair, also the deputy commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom, announced the presentation of the Distinguished Service Medal and a commendation by Gov. Bob Riley. State Rep. Terry Spicer also presented the family Sunday morning with a flag that flew over the state's capital.

Members from Jordan's unit from Fort Campbell presented the family with the American flag over the casket.

1st Sgt. Jimmy Clouse, the senior enlisted man from Jordan's company, came from Iraq for the funeral.

Clouse said Jordan was "a dedicated soldier" and during his five years of service to the nation, Jordan received a number of awards and decorations, including the Army Commendation Medal; the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters; the Army Good Conduct Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; the NCO Professional Development Ribbon; the Army Service Ribbon; the Overseas Service Ribbon; the Expert Infantry man Badge; the Air Assault Badge; and Expert marksmanship badges for the M16 rifle and hand grenade.

In honor of Jordan and his father, a shift supervisor and firefighter with the Lowe Army Heliport Fire Station at Fort Rucker, a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter gave a fly-by salute near the end of the memorial service. Frank Chirico, family friend, gave a statement from the family after the services, stating that they "are very proud of what Jason was able to accomplish during his life here on earth. We take great pride in Jason's patriotism, his love of our country and his decision to serve this great nation of ours in the United States Army. Jason strongly believed in what he was doing, serving in the armed forces to keep America safe and strong. He was helping to bring freedom and democracy to an oppressed people and put an end to a dictatorship that threatened the peace and stability of the world."

The statement from the family also offered condolences to the Garvey family of Townsend, Mass., whose son Justin died with Jordan in the attack. Family members said Jordan and Garvey were best friends.

Jordan, a 1997 graduate of Elba High School, was an honor student and member of the Beta Club and Math Club. After graduation Jordan attended Enterprise State Junior College for one year, where he began studies for a degree in chemical engineering. Jordan was also a certified lifeguard, open water scuba diver and a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

In June 1998, Jordan enlisted in the United States Army and upon his graduation, he was assigned to duty in Korea. After completing a one-year tour, Jordan was re-assigned in January 2000 to the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. During this tour with the Mortar Platoon, 1st Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, he was deployed with his unit to Kuwait from August to December 2001. He was promoted to sergeant in September 2001 and assumed the duties of squad leader within his unit.

In July 2002, Jordan was re-assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and deployed March 1, 2003 to Kuwait in preparation for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Members of Jordan's immediate family include a brother and sister-in-law, Christopher and Marsha Jordan of Elba; nephews Blake and Caleb Jordan of Elba and niece Montana Jordan of Elba; paternal grandparents H. L and Virginia Jordan of Elba; maternal grandparents Sam and Irene Davis of Elba.

(photo):Hundreds of people line up in silence behind the remains of Jason Jordan as the honor detail from Fort Rucker carry the soldier to his final resting place at Victoria Baptist Church cemetery Sunday afternoon.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Alabama
KEYWORDS: america; dixie; dixielist; fallen; honor; jasonjordan; justingarvey; soldier
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To: Grand Old Partisan

Only an envious loser would bring his politics onto a thread of a soldiers burial.
21 posted on 08/15/2003 5:00:18 AM PDT by SouthernFreebird
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To: stainlessbanner
God bless this brave young man.
Rest in peace, in your beloved Dixie.
22 posted on 08/15/2003 5:04:51 AM PDT by RightWinger
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To: Grand Old Partisan
An apology is in order, if you're man enough.
23 posted on 08/15/2003 5:07:25 AM PDT by RightWinger
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To: stainlessbanner
With a bow of the head and a solemn salute of attention, in honor and rememberance of one so noble....

Grace and peace to family and friends.
24 posted on 08/15/2003 5:32:12 AM PDT by azhenfud (For every government action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.)
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To: Non-Sequitur
Thank you, NS. Thank you.
Regards,
Az
25 posted on 08/15/2003 5:34:33 AM PDT by azhenfud (For every government action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.)
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To: Non-Sequitur
Thank you for saying what I could not
26 posted on 08/15/2003 5:41:48 AM PDT by boxerblues (God Bless the 101st, stay safe, stay alert and watch your backs)
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To: Non-Sequitur
Thank you sir. My respect and humble gratitude.
27 posted on 08/15/2003 6:02:06 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
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To: stainlessbanner
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send,
and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
(Isaiah 6:8)

Rest with honor, Jason. May the Almighty watch over yours just as you have watched over ours. Thank you.

28 posted on 08/15/2003 6:21:26 AM PDT by thatdewd
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To: stainlessbanner
Absolute tearjerker. I have to say it is a terribly agonozing thing that makes one ask questions. How can God take him and allow a terrible kid like Johnny Taliban go to Afghanistan, join the ranks of the demonic, wage jihad against good-hearted people and live to write a memoir (that will be celebrated by the Left)?

Sadness! We should all make sure that this young man didn't die in vain. I know now that I haven't done enough. I think we should demonstrate our support- help the USO, write letters, send gifts and help the families on the homefront.

God, I am sad about this. The sacrifice is visible and appreciated-- the families need to know that.

Crying at my desk at work!!
29 posted on 08/15/2003 6:33:41 AM PDT by faithincowboys (Defeat the Fifth Column)
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To: stainlessbanner
in memory of our fallen hero-martyr.
30 posted on 08/15/2003 9:32:08 AM PDT by stand watie (Resistence to tyrants is obedience to God. -Thomas Jefferson)
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To: stainlessbanner; All
More information on Jason's friend Sgt. Justin Garvey, who has relatives in Bradford County, Fla.

Honoring Justin Sgt. Justin Wrisley Garvey February 28, 1980 - July 20,2003

31 posted on 08/15/2003 10:26:24 AM PDT by mac_truck (Ora et Labora)
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To: stainlessbanner
God Bless this fine Son of the South and Brave American Hero.

Liberty
32 posted on 08/15/2003 10:43:11 AM PDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: Grand Old Partisan
You are the epitome of a damnYankee! Here some mother's son is killed and he is an American. He was proud to be from Dixie, and he was a Brother in Arms. Your quip about Gen. Rob't E. Lee is totally out of order, and you lack respect for your betters. This boy was one of 'em. Hang your head in shame, you ungrateful dog.

It is not the editor who gives you freedom of speech - IT IS THE VETERAN.
It is not the radical, or the Congressman who gives you freedom to assemble - IT IS THE VETERAN.
Lastly - sadly - IT IS THE VETERAN (not the judge or legislator) who saluted the flag, who followed the flag into battle, and is always buried under that flag - IT IS THE VETERAN who gives you the right to burn that flag!

Or more succinctly put - "Makin mock of uniforms that guard you while you sleep,
Is cheaper than them uniforms - and they're starvation cheap." - Rudyard Kipling

33 posted on 08/15/2003 11:21:34 AM PDT by Colt .45 (Cold War, Vietnam Era, Desert Storm Veteran - Pride in my Southern Ancestry!)
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To: Grand Old Partisan
Robert Lee's minions were the ones killing U. S. troops.

Yeah, cause those same U.S. troops were raping, robbing, and killing southern civilians.

34 posted on 08/17/2003 7:15:15 PM PDT by GOPcapitalist
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To: Grand Old Partisan
You know, Partisan, you should truly save your south bashing for another thread. Though it is rightfully found offensive elsewhere, it is particularly so on this thread.

You make a career around here of trashing the memory of those soldiers who deserve honor while glorifying those who don't simply because of the side they served on.

35 posted on 08/17/2003 7:22:35 PM PDT by GOPcapitalist
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To: Grand Old Partisan; Non-Sequitur; 4ConservativeJustices
Robert Lee's minions were the ones killing U. S. troops.

A young man comes home from serving his country in a box and this is what you have to say? He gives the volutarily gave ultimate sacrifice in the place of you and this is what falls out of your sewer? You are as pathetic as you are one dimensional.

I can only hope you are one day in the presence of the family of this young man or his friends that had to watch him die. I hope that you then run that line of garbage by them. That goes beyond anti-Southern bias and runs into anti-American. Congratulations.

Non-Sequitur, thank you.
36 posted on 08/22/2003 7:42:06 AM PDT by wasp69 (Remember, Uday in Pig Latin is DU)
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To: wasp69
I agree wasp69. I have observed Grand Old Partisan over the past few months and have come to the conclusion he is nothing but a hate-filled partisan with no room in his heart for grace or respect. He has once again revealed his true colors. Must be a miserable life.
37 posted on 08/22/2003 7:48:40 AM PDT by ladtx ( "Remember your regiment and follow your officers." Captain Charles May, 2d Dragoons, 9 May 1846)
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To: ladtx
I have observed Grand Old Partisan over the past few months and have come to the conclusion he is nothing but a hate-filled partisan with no room in his heart for grace or respect. He has once again revealed his true colors. Must be a miserable life.

Just like any liberal that tries to live off of hyperbole and opinion, they will eventually expose themselves.
38 posted on 08/22/2003 7:56:43 AM PDT by wasp69 (Remember, Uday in Pig Latin is DU)
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To: wasp69
Non-Sequitur, thank you.

Bump. NS is proof that one can disagree about positions, but still remain a gentleman. Unlike the common troll.

39 posted on 08/22/2003 8:22:14 AM PDT by 4CJ (Come along chihuahua, I want to hear you say yo quiero taco bell. - Nolu Chan, 28 Jul 2003)
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