CLAREMORE —
Persons wishing to pay tribute to the life of fallen Claremore soldier Jon Townsend may do so by making a contribution to an account set up in his name.
Last Sunday, 19-year-old Army infantryman Jon Townsend was among four Americans killed in Afghanistan. Circumstances surrounding the deaths are still under investigation, but early reports indicated he and his fellow soldiers were killed by insurgents dressed as U.S. Troops.
The Department of Defense has yet to confirm these reports.
Although members of Townsend’s family flew to Delaware last week to claim his body, the Claremore funeral home with whom the family is making funeral and memorial arrangements said his body has yet to be returned home (to Claremore).
The fund set up in Townsend’s name at RCB Bank is to help the family purchase a headstone in his memory, to be used at his final resting place.
The RCB Bank account in Townsend’s name comes on the heels of a local woman attempting to profit from the recent tragedy.
According to Claremore police, someone in Claremore had been going door to door, asking for money in the name of Blue Star Mothers for the Townsend family.
When contacted, Blue Star Mothers spokesperson Wanda Inman said the woman was not affiliated with the group. Inman said she was angry that anyone would use such a tragedy to solicit money.
Police are waiting to see if they can press criminal charges as they have yet to confirm if the woman they’ve identified as the suspect collected any money under false pretenses, on behalf of the Blue Star Mothers of Rogers County.
Persons wishing to contribute to the family may donate to any RCB Bank, and indicate that the money is to go to the Jon Townsend Memorial Fund.
Persons also can call RCB Bank at (918) 341-6150 to arrange donation.
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