Editorial: A soldier's procession deserving of praise

By: Staff Editorial

Posted: 2/20/09

Between Fourth and Seventh streets, people were lined shoulder-to-shoulder along Lincoln Avenue.

About 300 people braved the cold and snow for the procession for 1st Lt. Jared Southworth, 26, of the 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment of Marion. Southworth, who was from Oakland, was killed in Afghanistan Feb. 8 while serving in the Illinois National Guard.

This death hits close to home, whether it is for Eastern or for the local community.

Southworth graduated from Eastern in May 2006 and was involved in Eastern's ROTC program.

Many of Eastern administrators, students and building service workers joined the crowd of community members and area police departments to show their respect and support for Southworth and his family.

Employees from businesses across the street, such as Midas, also came out and gave their respects.

Eatern's ROTC was present and in formation, and even those who did not know Southworth stood outside for the procession.

Although a majority of the people were in between Fourth and Seventh Street, people were lined along Lincoln Avenue as they saw fit.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars held an honor guard in the parking lot of the former Baldwin Pontiac dealership building, 825 W. Lincoln Ave, near the start of Charleston. Lincoln Avenue, itself, was lined with American flags.

Most of these people stood outside for at least an hour, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., awaiting the procession, which ended up arriving around 10:30 a.m. Some held flags and Cheryl Gilbert, administrative assistant for the office of external relations, handed out paper flags to those who did not have one.

The procession for Southworth was a collaborative event, an event everyone should be proud of and is probably one the family is proud of.

"One of the strengths of small towns in America, especially the Midwest, is the pulling together in a time of need," said Eastern President Bill Perry.

For those who could not attend the procession or for those who are interested, respect and support can still be shown for Southworth and his family this weekend.

Southworth's visitation from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Standard Funeral Home, 215 E. Main St. in Oakland and the funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Oakland High School gymnasium.

The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at: DENopinions@gmail.com.