Tulsa World: Graveside service with full military honors held for soldier from Ardmore

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Graveside service with full military honors held for soldier from Ardmore

By Associated Press
Published: 3/5/2008 9:57 AM
Last Modified: 3/5/2008 9:57 AM

ARDMORE -- A graveside service with full military honors has been held for a 19-year-old soldier who died near Baghdad when his Humvee hit an explosive device.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Ardmore cemetery Tuesday to remember Spc. Micheal Phillips, who died Feb. 24.

Todd Larkin, an events coordinator with the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce, said Phillips' name will be added to a black granite monument that commemorates Carter County's fallen veterans, dating to World War I.

"The monument is getting close to being filled up, which should serve as a little bit of a wake-up call," Larkin said. "We've got names from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam ... and now our new war."

"In a small town like Ardmore, it definitely hits home a lot more than it does in Los Angeles or Dallas or even Oklahoma City."

Residents lined Ardmore's streets Sunday night as Phillips' body was being escorted from the airport.

"Both of my sisters were at the mall when they got word his body had entered town," said Donna Stinson, who works at a downtown furniture store. "They dropped everything and ran to the street just so they could pay their respects.

"It's just heartbreaking. He's just a young man; just a child. ... The war is so far away, but this makes it real. Just knowing he was from Ardmore and that he's one of our neighbors.

"All of us are real proud of him."

Flags flew at half-staff throughout the

community in honor of Phillips, a 2006 Ardmore High School graduate.

"Your heart just goes out to the family," said Donna Hunt, a local jeweler.

"By all accounts, this was just a wonderful young man who gave everything so we can live free back here at home. We are proud."

Phillips loved history, running and art, and had been offered admission to the San Francisco Art Institute. He bypassed art school to join the Army.

He was a member of the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell, Ky.

"He was a hero," Phillips' mother, Angelia, said last week.

"What I've heard from his squad is that he was an excellent soldier who was always trying to improve himself, and was always willing to go the extra mile. He's more of a man than most will be." By Associated Press

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	Report Comment Mike Jones, (3/5/2008 4:34:22 PM) I salute you Spc. Micheal Phillips for the ultimate sacrifice you have made. My heart cries out for you and your family. As a parent myself, I do not pretend to know what your parents are going through. My prayers are with each and everyone of the family during this unimaginable time. I hate George W. Bush for his insane foreign policy.
	Report Comment JD, (3/5/2008 5:54:32 PM) How much blood do our kids have to spill before we pull that nut out of the White House?
	Report Comment the patriot, (3/5/2008 6:09:27 PM) My condolences to the family... Why does every incident turn into Bush bashing? Love and SUPPORT every aspect of your country. If not move somewhere else!!!!
	Report Comment John Logan , Independence, Ks. (3/5/2008 7:05:32 PM) RE: the patriot, "My condolences to the family... Why does every incident turn into Bush bashing? Love and SUPPORT every aspect of your country. If not move somewhere else!!!!" I couldn't agree more. As a Vietnam Veteran I have seen the death of men in combat and know men in a unit become closer than brothers. So I offer my condolences and prayers the friend and family and brothers in arms. You have more than earned your wings Screaming Eagle.
	Report Comment John, Broken Arrow (3/6/2008 1:52:39 PM) I also offer my condolences to the family and salute this fallen brother for paying the ultimate price in battle. I too was a Viet Nam vet and spent two years over there all the time knowing the “military action” was wrong. Many men died, on both sides, before people in the US were strong enough to stand up and say the war was wrong. I pray it will not be the same way in Iraq.
	Report Comment Toe Jam, Tulsa (3/6/2008 5:17:46 PM) JD, you'r a real class act! Bastard. God's speed to this brave warrior.
	Report Comment AD, Portland, OR (3/6/2008 5:47:04 PM) #4 and #5. Big deal, I was in Vietnam too. The absolute difference is the fact that none of the Vietnamese flew into American towers. Our war was a mistake. Johnson and McNamara lacked balls to get anything that resembled trying to win it done. I support what the brave volunteers are doing. Yes they are dying, and it's a shame. Don't forget that nearly 58,000 of our young men died for a political peace action.
	Report Comment Pokey's Mom, (3/28/2008 5:26:33 PM) My son respected Pres. Bush. Understood why we are fighting this fight. His love of history taught him that understanding. DO NOT shame his memory or the job he did so proudly by bad mouthing his commander and chief.

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