Claremore Daily Progress

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October 1, 2012

Honoring A Hero

Service memorializes Pfc. Townsend

Tom Fink Staff Reporter

CLAREMORE — Friends, family members, and members of the military converged on Claremore Friday morning to pay tribute to the life of fallen soldier Jon Townsend.

Townsend’s pastors, his nephew and close friends reflected not on Townsend’s passing, but his life, recalling him as an “enthusiastic man, dedicated to his wife and his faith,” exhibiting a “love of life” which was contagious.

“I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Jon’s family and friends — he was a courageous young man who joined the United States Army at a time when he knew full well that our nation was at war” said Brigadier Gen. Don Farris. “Jon never wavered in his duty. He never hesitated in the face of adversity. He never quit when things got hard. I would like to think he knew all along that he was something bigger than himself, that he was making a difference, that everything he did, he did for all of you here today, all of you whom he loved so dearly.

“Jon died a long way from home, and I can find no words to ease the anguish of his passing,” he continued, “but we know that he gave his life to preserve all that we hold dear. That perhaps we all might be a little safer. Jon embodied the best of American values, and now he is back home. I don’t know who can claim the title of the greatest generation, but I can tell you that Jon was among the greatest of his own generation.”

Following Brig. Gen. Farris’s remarks, Townsend’s widow and mother were presented his medals of honor.

After his memorial, he was taken to Lone Chapel Cemetery in Adair, where he was buried with full military honors.

 

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