Thousands line Paris’s streets to pay tribute to fallen Marine [TX]

kxii.com ^ | August 13, 2009 | Josh Stevenson

[smokingfrog]

PARIS, TX -- The body of a North Texas Marine killed in Afghanistan was returned home Thursday. Thousands of people lined the streets of Paris to honor Marine Sgt. Jay Hoskins. Josh Stevenson has more.

The flag-draped coffin of Marine Sgt. Jay Hoskins was met by thousands of people Thursday. Some were waiting outside the airport. Others stood and waited along the side of the road, waving American flags, wanting to pay tribute to one of their own who died fighting for their freedom.

"Nobody wants to see our troops in harm’s way, but if that's where they are, then we are behind them 100%," Paris resident Robert Dyer said.

The overwhelming grief of losing a loved one to war is one of the reasons that more than 100 Patriot Guard riders showed up to escort the body and show their support.

"To show them that their family member has not been forgotten, and will not be forgotten," Patriot Guard rider Mike Eubank said.

The people who showed up to say ‘thank you’ say this sacrifice will not be forgotten. In recent years, the city of Paris has struggled with division, but Thursday it was a city united, connected by the sacrifice of one Marine.

"The reason for the occasion is very sad, but I am glad people came out to show support for the family, and hopefully think about the sacrifices made and what that means to us here at home," Paris city manager Kevin Carruth said.

Funeral services for Sgt. Hoskins will be held on Saturday morning, at 10 a.m. at North Lamar High School in Paris.

[smokingfrog]

video

[2banana]

No, it is not Paris, France

[FlingWingFlyer]

There are STILL a lot of Americans living in this country.

[Texas resident]

To the parents and friends of Marine Sgt. Jay Hoskins:

Semper Fi.

There are a lot of us our there.

Good night, Uncle Chesty.

[bareford101]

that was what made me fall in love with Texas. A Texas relative died and the hearse had to wind through a small town (it was in the country), and we passed a group of high school students at a service station with their sign up saying they would wash cars to make money for a school trip. Anyway, when the hearse passed by, those young people put their hands over their hearts, and the ones with caps on took them off, until we got by. I had never seen that anywhere in the world before. When you are a really decent person, no body has to tell you what is right or wrong. You have been learning that all of your life, so it's natural to show respect for the family and friends following the hearse.

[Michael Barnes]

On to your next duty post Sgt. Hoskins; Heaven's streets.

Semper Fi.

[Texas resident]

Even on a busy highway, we pull over to allow hearses to pass regardless of who it is. If someone wants to pass on the road, we pull over on the shoulder to let them pass, then wave at them. It is taught from an early age and passed on. In West Texas, you wave at an oncoming car just because it is expected. We feed our neighbors, we watch their kids and dogs. We remove our hats when the national anthem is played. It’s how we live. Libtards dont understand this and I don’t give a damn, we are who we are.
We are the veterans, we are the people who make the country work and by God we are not going to change to make someone else happy. God Bless America and God Bless Texas. One and the same.

[erman]

[RXSalesman]

Theres a lot of good hearted folks in Texas. In my opinion, nothing illustrates that point better than this:

http://www.wfaa.com/video/index.html?nvid=383636&shu=1

[TXnMA]

And, if we recognize what is coming toward us in time, cars on both sides of the road will usually pull over and remain stopped out of respect until the procession has passed...

[MeekOneGOP]

What a homecoming!

May he rest in peace.

Ping a few Texans here...

[TADSLOS]

RIP young Marine.

[MeekOneGOP]

And check out the link to the video, y’all!

http://www.kxii.com/news/headlines/53177667.html#

Wow!

[Diver Dave]

Thanks for the video link, Meek.

Salute.........two

[ForGod'sSake]

God bless the people of Paris Texas for the honor they expressed for one of their fallen heroes.

[DirtyHarryY2K]

Amen!

[ForGod'sSake]

And amen!

[Jedidah]

That little wave, your hand still on the steering wheel, and you raise four fingers as the other car passes.

I love rural Texas.

[MeekOneGOP]

Amen!

[MeekOneGOP]

Yes, sir! :)