Local Soldier Killed In Iraq Will Be Buried With Mother

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.wpxi.com/news/2618120/detail.html

BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. -- A local family's fight to bring their loved one home from Iraq ends with joyous sorrow.

Sgt. Ernest Bucklew was killed in Iraq Sunday after the helicopter he was riding in was shot down by enemy fighters. Thursday, it was announced when his body would be returning.

Earlier this week, a father made a plea to return his son's remains so a joint funeral could be held with his mother. The Bucklew family got the answer they had been hoping for.

Army Public Affairs Major Greg Yesko said, "We received word this morning from casualty affairs office at Ft. Meade, Md., that Sgt. Bucklew's remains will be flown into Pittsburgh this evening."

<snip>

Family friend William Braslawsce said, "It was a very emotional reunion, to say the least. This is a tragedy. No family should ever have to endure losing one loved one, let alone two in two days."

Bucklew's remains will receive a military escort Thursday night from the airport. The joint funeral will take place at Campbell Funeral Home in Darlington with full military honors for Bucklew.

The family is now asking the federal government and the nation to fly the flag at half-staff in honor of those soldiers who lost their lives this past week in Iraq.

A trust fund has been set up for Bucklew's two children.
Donations can be sent to:
The First National Bank
2634 Darlington Road
Beaver Falls, Pa. 15010
<snip>

Christ, it's getting harder to read about these things.

[Democrats unite]

1. Bush has got to go...

and I fear the Nov, 2004 is to late to wait.

[sweettater]

3. This made me remember many years ago, 1968

my brother was piloting a helicopter in Veitnam. He was KIA. My mother was never the same. She died 2 years ago. My emotions overcome me in this senseless killing and of our young men and women and what the mothers and fathers must be going through. I am so sad. ;(

[metisnation]

6. I am so sorry sweettater and everyone else with fam that was KIA-MIA

We will stop this!!! We will never forget :hug:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

7. We can only hope the madness stops before this thing escalated further.

[Mari333]

2. Dont worry . Rummy intends to send more children to die for PNAC

to the war that never ends.

[Devil Dog Dem]

4. This broke my heart so much I stopped what I was doing and wrote a check

. . . to the trust fund for this man's children.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

5. That was good of you. They lost a lot to be so young.