Christopher Loudon honored at funeral services

Funeral services were held Saturday for Christopher E. Loudon, a soldier from Bockport, who was killed Oct. 17 in Iraq.

Army 2nd Lt. Loudon, a member of the 4th Infantry Division, 2nd Platoon, C-Company, based in Fort Hood, Texas, was killed in a roadside bombing while riding in a Humvee.

At the request of the family, the services at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Turbotville — the church where he and Jacey Loudon were married last December — were private.

Lt. Loudon was originally from Bockport, Elk County, and a funeral service there was held Thursday. In addition to his wife, Lt. Loudon, 23, is survived by a 5-year-old daughter, Isabel Loudon, who lives in Pittsburgh.

Before and during the funeral services, nine members of the Patriot Guard Riders stood holding flags along Paradise Road, outside the church.

"We came to show our respect for 2nd Lt. Christopher Loudon and to support his family," said Joe Zinoble, a member of the group, who formerly had lived in Liverpool, but now lives in Indiana County.

Members of the Patriot Guard try to attend the funeral of every fallen service member, he said.

But the number of members who can make it varies.

"Pennsylvania has been hit very hard," he said.

Lt. Loudon will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

From the Daily Item

Previous Funeral Service held in Brockway

People in Brockway lined the streets to say goodbye to their hometown soldier.

"We have respect for people who die and people who serve our country," said Father Adams, one of dozens of people standing on the sidewalk as the hearse carrying Christopher Loudon's casket passed by.

A funeral service was held Thursday for Loudon, a second lieutenant in the Army, who was killed in Iraq last week by an exploded roadside bomb. The 23-year-old grew up in Brockway.

His father says he was proud to be serving the country in the military. "He loved what he was doing. Took a lot of pride in it. When we spoke to him, he was excited about the people he was working with," said Randy Loudon.

Loudon was also excited about his new wife who he married just 9 months ago and his 5-year-old daughter. "He loved his daughter. I think that will be one of the hardest things for us to get through. His 5-year-old daughter is never going to see him again and his wife of 9 months that's gonna be very difficult," added Loudon's father.

A second funeral service will be held in Turbotville, where Loudon lived with his wife.

From WJAC 6

Related Link:
Christopher E. Loudon killed by roadside bomb