John Hartman laid to rest

MANATEE - Staff Sgt. John L. Hartman Jr. thought of others before himself, and that message was delivered loud and clear during his funeral service Friday afternoon at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

"He was a caring individual. Brave and fearless," said Hartman's brother, Jared. "There's nothing he would not do for anybody."

Hartman died doing just that - fighting for America.

A longtime Bradenton resident, the 39-year-old died Nov. 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, after an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat operations. He was on his third tour in Baghdad, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division in Fort Stewart, Ga.

The life of the family man, friend and avid fisherman was celebrated by more than 150 funeral attendees.

About 50 Patriot Guard Riders stood outside the church before the service, standing tall with flags, and an honor guard stood closely by, something that brought tears to the eyes of Hartman's father, John L. Hartman Sr.

"I'm very proud they're here," he said.

Minutes before the service, a younger family member broke down in tears. Hartman's sister, Jennifer Schuler, approached him, placing a dog tag around his neck and said, "Stay strong. John's with us now. You've got to be strong,"

"None of us lives for one self. No one dies for oneself. We live for the Lord and die for the Lord," said Father Jim Archambault. "He died for a cause and the Lord will reward. No more battles to fight."

The 1984 Manatee High School graduate proved that after his second tour.

Slated to stay in the states, Hartman offered to take the spot of a man in his platoon after his wife had a baby. The man he replaced was scheduled to go to Iraq, so that's what Hartman did.

Rich Hickey, Hartman's best friend of more than 20 years, first met the soldier in 1985, when the two attended basic training together.

He reminded those in attendance that Hartman did not die alone.

"He wasn't in Iraq alone. He had friends, partners, brothers - some of whom are here today, some of who will be back in Iraq in three days. He did not die alone and I want everyone here to think about that."

Jeff Walker, one of the members of Hartman's 12-person unit in Iraq, also spoke of the fallen soldier.

"We slept in the same room, ate together, trained together, sweat and bled together and we're here together today for the last time," Walker said. "He truly believed in what we did over there and we're going to go back and carry on for him. Mission complete, brother."

"He extended himself to others," Archambault said. "What a great sacrifice he made for you (the family) and all of us."

Three gunshots were fired, with the sound of "Taps" directly following. The honor guard then presented the family with three folded flags.

As the attendees exited the funeral, several doves were released into the sky.

Hartman will be cremated, with his ashes scattered into Tampa Bay.

From the Herald

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