Fallen Hospers soldier laid to rest (William E. Thorne)

Corey Thorne salutes during the graveside service for her husband Pfc. William E. Thorne at the Hospers (Iowa) Cemetery Saturday.

ORANGE CITY and HOSPERS, Iowa -- The steady rain falling Saturday must have been the heavens themselves crying for Pfc. William E. Thorne.

Thorne, 26, of Hospers was killed Aug. 24 on a routine patrol near Baghdad.

His widow, Pfc. Corey Jasper Thorne, 26, of Hospers, was somber and focused, the consumate soldier -- but she did not cry, at least not in public. Not during the funeral service at First Reformed Church in Orange City. And not during the graveside service at Hospers Cemetery, where she rose to stand at attention along with the honor guard, saluting the love of her life one last time as the casket flag was folded.

Read the rest at the Sioux City Journal

Related Link:
Hundreds mourn soldier killed in Iraq

Related Link:
Iowan on leave learns husband killed in Iraq