John Edward Hale laid to rest

The small funeral home on Southside Drive couldn't hold everyone who came to pay their final respects to Marine Lance Cpl. John Edward Hale and his family Sunday afternoon.

People filled the pews, lined the chapel walls and spilled out into the lobby of Rose Neath Funeral Home.


Hale, 20, died Oct. 6 after an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee on patrol in the Al Anbar Province in Iraq.

As a son, brother, friend, classmate and Marine, Hale served as a role model to many.

"He was definitely a great leader," said Brandon Gage as he buttoned the jacket to his Junior ROTC uniform before the funeral. Gage is a member of Huntington High School's Junior ROTC where Hale served as his battalion commander his freshman year. "He taught me how to be a great leader and an even better follower."

Gage, 16, plans to follow in Hale's footsteps and join the Marines when he graduates.

Another member of the school's Junior ROTC, Jermey Gramm, 19, remembers when he met Hale his freshman year.

"Right then I knew he would be a friend," Gramm said.

Gramm isn't sure if military life will follow graduation but if it does, lessons Hale taught will help him.

"He taught me to never give up," he said.

Hale's remains rested in a casket under a banner that read, "He gave his life for God and country" surrounded by a dozen floral arrangements.

On display in the lobby were dozens of pictures of Hale with his family, football teammates and fellow Marines. Some of his personal belongings sat on a table, including his small Bible and a cross, given to him by his aunt, that he was wearing when he died.

Three undated letters from Hale were also on display, providing an idea of what he was going through overseas.

"I can't wait to get home. One way or another I'll be back," Hale wrote. "Just remember, I live for you and if anything were to happen to me that I was not alone."

If anyone had any doubt about the young Marine's dedication to his country and the cause, he cleared it up in another letter.

"I fight so that (terrorists) won't come and do those acts to my family, friends and the people that live and breathe in the U.S."

When grade school friend Bud Bogan heard about Hale's death, he wrote a letter to Hale, saying things he didn't get to when Hale was alive and remembering the fun they had in the past.

Bogan injected a little bit of humor into the sad atmosphere as he read the letter at the funeral.

"We were going to start our hot rod shop and raise our kids together," he said. Bogan spoke a little bit about the good times he and Hale shared, including a skinny dipping adventure.

"I know God called you to heaven because this world wasn't good enough for you anymore," Bogan read. "I know you'd rather die fighting for your country than any other way."

There were also many in the crowd who didn't know Hale, or his family, but drove hundreds of miles to be at the funeral.

Members of numerous motorcycle clubs, including the Patriot Guard Riders, were present.

"We're here to let the family know we're grateful for his service," said Gregg Akers, a member of the Patriot Guard, Combat Vets Association and Southern Cruisers Riding Club.

Having the motorcycle group present held a special meaning to the family, said Patriot Guard State Capt. Mike Long.

"(The family) said when he got back (from Iraq) he said he wanted to buy a motorcycle," Long said. The family still plans on getting the motorcycle Hale wanted, Long was told, which they'll have painted in tribute to their fallen Marine.

During the traditional military services, the family was given Hale's Purple Heart award and the flag that draped his casket.

"I hope his parents will be OK," Gramm said. "He'll be watching over them."

From the Shreveport Times

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