Sunday, May 18th: The graduating seniors of Coal City High School crossed the stage, one by one, wearing purple ribbons.

The ribbons were to remember Alyssa Swyndro who died three months earlier in a single-vehicle accident. One member of the Class of 2014 was Mallory Hancock, whose older brother Steven, Class of 2011, would die the next day, Monday, exactly one week before Memorial Day.

Steven was a Marine and crew chief of an Osprey, which is half airplane and half helicopter. Apparently he fell from the craft during a training mission and was not found until Tuesday, six days before Memorial Day.

Steven’s older sister Julia also graduated from Coal City High School. His two sisters live with their parents, Michael and Susan. His mom works at the high school.

The school district is having a Memorial Day service at the Intermediate School on Memorial Day when they will remember Steven.

Memorial Day is the day we dedicate to our military dead. Memorial Day is also Steven’s birthday.

~~~

Memorial Day Monday I wore my Boy Scout leader shirt (Troop 42, NEIC) in solidarity with Steven.  He was a member of Troop 466, Rainbow Council. 

He earned Eagle Scout rank before he graduated from high school.  Consequently, a few months later when he enlisted in the USMC, he entered as an E2 instead of an E1.  So I parked across the street at the library, got out and tucked my shirt tail into my pants.

This was my first view of the memorial.

The memorial reminded me of the monolith from 2001: a space odyssey.  The three women are reading the names that are literally carved in stone.  The branch flags fly from the top of the shorter poles and the American Flag flys at half of the taller pole.

I walked across the street and found the trumpeter receiving instructions.

The VFW would provide the rifle salute.  Here, one member scans the WW2 names.

The rifles found their place on the sidewalk nearby and I found a marble bench.  We waited.

I left early enough to make the long trip and still arrive a half-hour before the scheduled start at 11:00. I waited at the flag pole and memorial in front of the Intermediate School. At ten minutes past eleven o’clock, a fellow approached me and asked if there were going to be a ceremony. I said that I thought so but that he was only the second spectator, after me. He said he wondered if it were inside.

It was.

There were five speakers; each praised Steven.  When individuals from the audience were invited to contribute memories of Steven, two did.  Many scouts were there and I though it was a good turnout.

(click for larger view)

At last we were told to move outside for the werath-laying, the rifle salute and Taps.

The rifles were waiting.

It was Memorial Day, but really it was Steven's day.  That's what we were thinking as we assembled on the grass.

It was Steven's first Memorial Day as an honoree. 

Day, but really it was Steven's day.  That's what we were thinking as we assembled on the grass.

(click for larger view)

First, the wreath.

It was placed by a sailor, escorted by two American Legion members. 

Then, three volleys.

And then Taps. 

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.  

And then I took one more photo that looked like the first I took, except that the wreath is in place now. 

I went past Steven's school on the way home.  The flag was at half. 

Same as his church. 

And I went past my father's grave where that good soldier, doctor and father has rested for a half-century. 

Monday:  Newspaper story of the Memorial Day ceremony.

Wednesday:  Click here for my photos of the airport escort.

Wednesday:  Newspaper story and video of the airport escort.

Friday:  Newspaper story and photos of the funeral escort.

Email received Tuesday evening:

The PGR has been invited to participate in honoring Lcpl. Steven Hancock, USMC.

We will assist with the escort from the airport to the funeral home and with the escort from the church to Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

Lcpl. Hancock served from 2011 until May 2014.

Join us as we honor this US Marine.

All escorts will have LEO support and Leatherneck participation.


Wednesday Events:

Staging for escort to parents home: 0700 hrs. 05/28/2014
UC Davis Funeral Home
301 W. Washington St.
Morris, IL.

Staging for escort to O'Hare: 0915 hrs. 05/28/2014
Marine Reserve Unit
2711 McDonough St.
Joliet, Il

Staging at O'hare: 1045 hrs. 05/28/2014
O'hare Cargo Area
Irving Park and Access Rd.
FLT. 985 US Airways
Coordinate with SRC Dave Gier

KSU to funeral home: 1245 hrs.
1430 hrs. Arrive UC Davis Funeral Home
301 W. Washington St.
Morris, IL.
Escort family back home.



Thursday Events:

Staging: 1100 hrs.
UC Davis Funeral Home
301 W. Washington St.
Morris, IL.
Escort Lcpl Hancock to church.

Visitation: Thursday 05/29/2014 1500 - 2000
First Christian Church
455 W. Southmor Rd.
Morris, Il.
Leathernecks and Marine personnel will provide visitation honors

Staging: 2000 hrs.
First Christian Church
455 W. Southmor Rd.
Morris, Il.
Escort Lcpl Hancock to funeral home.



Friday Events:

Staging: 0745 hrs.
UC Davis Funeral Home
301 W. Washington St.
Morris, IL.
Escort Lcpl Hancock to church.

Staging for funeral: 05/30/2014 0930 Hrs.
First Christian Church
455 W. Southmor Rd.
Morris, Il.

Escort to ALNC: KSU 1100 Hrs.

Staging at ALNC: 1100 hrs.
Set flag line at entrance then fall in at committal shelter
Coordinate with RC grinch.

Services at ALNC: 1200 hrs.

RC: Mike Stuckey
815 735 0637
mjs@csky.net

Assistant RC's not listed but help is welcome.

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