Spc. Joseph M. Lewis
Fallen Soldier's Welcome Home
Army Spc. Joseph M. Lewis' flag draped coffin arrived by a charter plane at
11:20 a.m., Wednesday (November 25, 2009), at Majors Airfield in Greenville, TX.
To welcome him home were members of his family, friends, members of the fire
department, police department, Army Reserves, 1st Calvary of Ft. Hood, PGR of
North Texas.
SPC Joseph Michael Lewis, of Terrell, died on Nov. 17, 2009 in Kandahar,
Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an
IED.
He was born Sept. 25, 1983 in Dallas and attended L.D. Bell High School in
Hurst, as well as Trinity Valley Community College in Terrell. SPC Lewis
completed basic training at Fort Knox in Kentucky in 2005. He was a Calvary
Scout at Camp Casey in Korea for 1 1/2 years and at Fort Lewis in Washington
before being deployed to Afghanistan. SPC Lewis was serving in Afghanistan in
the 8th squadron, 1st Calvary Regiment, on the 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team,
2nd Infantry Division.
Joseph is survived by his wife, his infant daughter, parents, sister and her
husband and their three children and three grandparents, as well as, numerous
aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends who loved him dearly.
Once the plane landed it was given a fire truck water bridge salute. There was a
somber transfer of the casket from the plane to a white coach. The family
gathered around to welcome him home. Afterward, the procession was escorted by
the state, local police and fire department. Also providing a motorcycle escort
were members of the North Texas Patriot Guard Riders. The journey began with
flag lined streets out of Majors Airfield and citizens of Greenville held signs,
waved flags and held their hands over their hearts, while others saluted in a
sign of respect. The procession continued south on Highway 34 south through the
towns of Cash and Quinland.
As the procession entered the city limits of Greenville the streets were lined
with flags and citizens came out to welcome the fifth fallen soldier since 2003.
Finally, the procession arrived at the funeral home decorated with hundreds of
small flags in the front lawn. Once the casket was taken inside the parents of
Joseph spoke to the press. His mother spoke of her sons bravery. His father
said, "We are celebrating his life because that is how he would have wanted it",
as his voice began to break with emotion.
The entire family then made their way into the funeral home for a private
viewing.
Information and Video by Jerry Castillo / USFallen.org
Spc. Joseph M. Lewis
