RVRGIRL
Taurus
HDF Supporter
Poopsie Bubble Buns
 
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 2,220
APPD 0.27
Post Rank: 29
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Posted: April 30 2006,1:14 am |
Post # 1 |
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FAREWELL TO A SOLDIER 
By Sara Bisker
Saturday, April 29, 2006 11:54 PM MDT
News-Herald Photo/Sara Bisker Debbie Tinnell accepts the American flag from Gen. Carroll Pollett on behalf of her son, Patrick A. Tinnell, who died April 19 while serving in As Siniyah, Iraq. Sitting next to her is Pat's grandmother, Dorothy Tinnell.
An American hero is buried today but his memory and legend will live on in the hearts of Havasuvians.
Patrick Allan Tinnell, 25, was remembered during Saturday's funeral service as a soldier of the highest caliber but also as a devoted son and American.
“He was loyal to his squad,†said Spc. Fred Nelson, who read letters written by some of Tinnell's squad members. “He will be missed. We'll miss the laughter and the joy he brought to us and we're sorry we didn't have more time to spend with him.â€
More than 1,000 people arrived at the Aquatic Center to celebrate Tinnell's life. He was killed April 19 in As Siniyah, Iraq when a suicide bomber blew up the humvee Tinnell was riding in. He was born in Whittier, Calif. on March 25, 1981.
“He was a stonewall when it came to what was right and what was wrong,†Nelson continued. “Especially when he knew he was right.â€
Tinnell was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Ky. He joined the Army in September 2005; it was his first tour of Iraq. He is Havasu's first fallen soldier from the war in Iraq.
Tinnell, whose death saved the lives of four others, was awarded the Purple Heart, among other honors.
“Words are inadequate at this time,†said Col. Daniel Butler, who officiated services. “There's no question in my heart that he's a fallen hero and he'll be missed by us all.â€
According to Tinnell's mother, Debbie Tinnell, her son joined the Army because he believed strongly in protecting freedom for all Americans.
“He said he wanted to fight for his country. I didn't believe him, it sounded too cliché. But when he got over there, when he saw the camaraderie and the friendship and how those boys were over there fighting, he wanted to be a part of what those boys were doing. He wanted to serve his country and he was proud of the Army,†Debbie Tinnell said.
She said her son was a constant anchor for her to lean on in times of need.
“There are some people in life you wish you could have met. Pat was one of them,†Butler said. “He was a young man with a sense of humor who loved to tease his mother. He was a young man who honored her and this brave man was a man who wanted to serve.
“Freedom does not come easily. The lesson has been taught on many battlefields. But Tinnell believed in freedom. He did this willingly and with a sense of dedication,†he said.
In Havasu, Tinnell's legend was his BMX riding. In 1999, during Teen Break he jumped his bike over an elephant. On Sunday, about 30 BMX riders and friend's of Tinnell rode their bikes to the services.
“A bunch of his friends got together and did what we hadn't done for years,†said Kevin Lyon, who knew Tinnell since he was 12 years old. “Racing brought us together. I'll miss his wild antics. There was always something. He always surprised you.â€
Lyon said when Tinnell joined the Army it was one more surprise no one expected.
“It was a direction I didn't expect him to go to. But it was for the best. It gave him another challenge to go after.â€
Directly after funeral services, Tinnell's remains were delivered to Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens for burial.
He was given full military honors by the 101st Airborne Division Eagles Honor Team along with a 21-gun salute.
Debbie Tinnell was presented with an American flag and “Taps†was played by a solitary bugle player.
In an unfortunate incident, as the casket was lowered into the ground, the device supporting the coffin failed and it began to fall into the grave. Members of the Army, Leitz-Fraze Funeral Home and those watching rushed to stop it from crashing.
It took several arms but the casket was righted and lowered successfully into the grave.
As those in attendance gave their condolences to the Tinnell family and said goodbye to an American soldier the sun began to set over the burial grounds.
“God knows you by name. We honor you as a nation,†Butler said. “We say goodbye to this young man. We honor you. We thank you. It is a privilege to be a comrade.â€
 Thats "MRS" RVRGIRL 2 you..... "When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila and salt."
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