A Hero’s Farewell

QUITMAN � On Sunday, countless East Texans lined the streets to watch the procession carrying Sgt. Joshua Powell’s body from Tyler all the way to Powell’s hometown of Quitman. Powell and U.S. Army Warrant Officer Bradley Justin Gaudet of Gladewater were among those killed in separate incidents June 4 in Afghanistan. KETK reports Powell’s journey Sunday began at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. Friends, family, military, motorcycle groups, East Texas law enforcement agencies, and patriotic East Texans welcomed the fallen soldier. Joshua’s uncle, Faron Petty, was among them.

“Well, he’s just a country boy, I guess you’d say,” Petty remarked. “He likes hunting and fishing, and I don’t know, most people have already heard — he volunteered for his fifth tour over there to take the place of other fallen soldiers that had just happened. And he went back and of course him and two other gentlemen and a young lady lost their life.”

Petty says he wasn’t prepared for just how many people stood on the streets to show support for his nephew. “No…we knew there would be several people, but not that many. And then when we turned on Main Street and saw the flags on the ladder truck, it was just all we could stand just about,” Petty said. Before Sunday’s procession, Petty said it’s a hard time for the family, but they are all very proud of Joshua. “These guys are out here doing the best they can and people really need to be behind them and support them. They’re giving their life for this…that’s…that’s all I can say,” Petty said. Funeral services for Sgt. Powell are this Tuesday morning at 9 at Lake Fork Baptist Church in Quitman.