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DEL.ICIO.USWarren honored on return to Duluth
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
They stood waiting for him under clouds heavy with pending raindrops.
In eager hands they clutched small American flags, waiting for the moment that he would go by so they could raise them in final salute. They huddled in clots, scores and scores of them, all along that stretch of Ga. 120 in Duluth that leads east to the funeral home.
He was my neighbor, some said.
He used to usher at our church, said another.
Jackson Warren, the 22-month-old son of Sgt. 1st Class Charles Warren, waits for his father’s body to arrive by police escort at a funeral home in Duluth.I served, too, said a few.
However they knew him or didn’t, they were united in their desire â€â€? and sense of duty, some said â€â€? to honor this 36-year-old husband and father of two. When Sgt. 1st Class Charles Warren left his family in Duluth nearly eight months ago to fight in Iraq, he also left behind a community that prides itself on its patriotism. In Duluth, if a hometown boy dies in a war, he gets a white cross with his name on it. On Veterans Day and Memorial Day, those crosses line either side of Buford Highway, a main drag into town.
Yet on Wednesday, one cross stood alone next to a flag lowered to half-staff just outside City Hall. It was Warren’s. For years to come, that cross will be a reminder of the Georgia National Guard member’s death by a car bomb at a checkpoint in Iraq last week.
Warren wasn’t born in Duluth, but he called it home. Because of that, the leaders of the city put out the call as soon as they heard the news: His body would return to town in just a few hours.
Mayor Shirley Lasseter sent out e-mails just before noon and had the city clerk Teresa Lynn hit the phone tree with this message: Everybody who can, line the road leading to Bill Head Funeral Home no later than 5:15 p.m. They were going to welcome Warren “back home as only Duluthians can do!”
Word went to the town merchants’ association, the Rotary Club, the Kiwanis Club, the Fall Festival Committee and nearly every church and Sunday school in town.
“We just wish we could have gotten to the schools, to have the kids out there,” Lynn lamented in the moments leading up to the arrival of the hearse.
Duluth Police said they would escort Warren’s body from the airport to the funeral home.
By 5:30 p.m., the edge of the parking lot at Proctor’s Square strip mall was lined with people. Down the road, the same scene unfolded at Duluth First United Methodist Church. In the parking lot at Bill Head Funeral Home, Warren’s nearly 2-year-old son, Jackson, ran in the grass near his grandmother, uncles and aunts, who were surrounded by mourners.
They waited. And waited. Drops fell intermittently from the sky. A helicopter hovered overhead.
At 6:20 p.m., bleats from sirens approached. Those at the funeral home hustled to the front of the driveway. Then came the flashing gold lights of the police escort.
Warren’s was the third vehicle to enter. Through the glass of the hearse, people could see his coffin.
It was draped with a flag. Larger, but the same as the ones his neighbors held in their hands, which covered their hearts.
Comments
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By A proud soldier's wife
August 11, 2005 08:02 AM | Link to this
To the Warren Family:
My thoughts and prayers go out to you during this time. I pray that God will give you some peace during this time.
By Ed Theobald
August 11, 2005 08:30 AM | Link to this
I will always remember the sacrafice your family has made and the noble and honorable service of Charles Warren. God Bless you and God Bless Charles.
By Michelle
August 11, 2005 09:44 AM | Link to this
Seeing the picture of this precious little boy who will remember his Daddy only in photographs, really brings this home and touches my heart most deeply. I pray for the families of all of the brave and courageous soldiers fighting for our freedom. I pray for those who have lost loved ones. I pray for my husband who is serving proudly for his family and his country.
By Doug Mundrick
August 11, 2005 09:45 AM | Link to this
Duluth will remember you and your family with more than the cross and the flag we place twice a year…we will remember in our hearts.
Doug Mundrick, Mayor Pro-temp City of Duluth
By Ben Dacus - Greenville, SC
August 11, 2005 09:55 AM | Link to this
To the Warren Family:
You have my utmost gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice of your loved one. May the Lord sustain you and carry you always.
Through the calling of our soldiers to defend America, we at home are protected. Through the wisdom of our leaders, the battlefield has been moved away from our homes and is being fought by our best defenders rather than our everyday citizens. It pains me that so many of our heroes should fall in this war, especially so far away; however, I am comforted by their efforts to keep us safe at home.
To the townspeople of Duluth, GA:
The dignified and somber procession you quickly marshaled to honor your fallen will remain forefront in my mind as the true character of Duluth, Georgia. The lasting support shown and the cohesion demonstrated by your memorial are touching. I pray that all of our fallen are received as well as Duluthians.
By Zerpa and Emma Camacho
August 11, 2005 11:24 AM | Link to this
To the Warren Family, God is to wise to make a mistake, he will be the comforter that you need when remembering your love one. Weeping may endure for a night but joy will come in the morning light. Hold fast to your faith and know that God still cares and he will be that only footprint that you see in the sand.
By Jennifer
August 11, 2005 11:43 AM | Link to this
I wish I had known. My 6 year old son has asked questions about war. Mainly about what the ribbons on the back of cars mean. So as simply as I could, I tried to explain about war. He has followed up a few times with questions or comments. I hope there isn’t a “next time”, but if Duluth can notify the schools it might help our children understand a little better and give us a chance to show our support also. I am truly sorry for the family’s loss. They are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
By Heather
August 11, 2005 01:19 PM | Link to this
Ben Dacus, well said. God Bless the troops and their families. we will never forget the sacrifice you have made to protect our freedom. God Bless little Jackson Warren, little guy always know that your father is a hero to millions. You should always be proud of him. Take care of your family, buddy.
By Mary Lou Geary-Jacksonville, FL
August 11, 2005 03:30 PM | Link to this
I recently saw this definition of a HERO: “A person noted for feats of courage or mobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life.” In my book, that applies to all of men/women in service.
There is nothing anyone can say or do to take away the hurt and sorrow of this family or any of those families that have lost loved ones. Just know that America shares your grief and keeps you in our prayers.
By Mary
August 11, 2005 04:52 PM | Link to this
I can’t agree more with this previous post, ” The lasting support shown and the cohesion demonstrated by your memorial are touching. I pray that all of our fallen are received as well as Duluthians.” Hopefully every town and County can get an email tree, a phone tree, or whatever to let people know when someone is passing through their town. Think of all the people that could have turned out on the entire route from the Airport to Duluth. A small thing we can do to honor those willing to serve and their families who have experienced such a loss. God Bless everyone that took the time. My prayers are with the Warren family. Mary Patrick Monticello, GA
By Scott
August 11, 2005 06:01 PM | Link to this
Charles was truly an American Hero. Not just in his military service, but also the way he conducted himself as a nurse, husband, and father. May God Bless all of his family. He will be missed but not forgotten.
By Tim Martin
August 11, 2005 10:26 PM | Link to this
Just by coincidence, driving through on the way home from work yesterday I road up on the all those wonderful people waiting to welcome Sgt. Warren home. At first unaware of what these people were waiting for, it quickly set in when I saw the welcome home signs among the flags.
I don’t know if anything could have set forth so many mixed emotions; heartbreak for the family, admiration for Sgt. Warren and all the others who pay this price, sorrow that this is the world we live in, shock at the really of war brought to our doorstep, and Blessed to live among people who stand out in the rain in support of a great son, husband and father.
To the Warren family: Take peace in knowing that you son,husband, father is an example of all that is good in man. Your are in our hearts and prayers. Take refuge in the Lord.
By Marie
August 12, 2005 12:42 AM | Link to this
That babies face………… God, I have no words……………
By Lisa S.
August 12, 2005 08:34 AM | Link to this
Wow, what support for this fallen hero. The hero in this little boy, Jackson forever. My heart goes out to this family and the aftermath of all the current happenings. God Bless Charles and the family.
By Pam LaChapelle
August 12, 2005 10:47 AM | Link to this
**To the Warren Family: I was particularly moved to see the picture of Jackson, holding the flag, waiting for his DADDY. My heart goes out TOTALLY to the Warren Family, particularly the children! All they know is they want their DADDY home! I pray that Father God will hold you all very close during this painful time. We appreciate your son and what he was doing.
By Stacey
August 12, 2005 11:22 PM | Link to this
To the Warren family, my heart is broken for you and your children. I will lift you up in prayer and hope that you can feel God’s presence as you go through this time. I am so thankful to your husband and his service. My husband is there now and the soldiers are a different breed of men. Your precious children will know their father from memories shared by all. I am also glad he got to leave his legacy in this world in more than one way. I was so grateful to see so many give the love and respect your husband deserved. God Bless and keep you all.
By JOANN BAILEY
August 13, 2005 10:40 AM | Link to this
AS THE MOTHER OF A SON WHO HAS DEFENDED OUR COUNTRY, MY HEART REALLY ACHES FOR THIS WIFE, CHILDREN, PARENTS AND SIBLINGS OF THIS FALLEN HERO. MAY GOD GRANT YOU ALL OF HIS LOVE AND MERCY AT THIS TIME OF SORROW. GOD AND GOD ALONE WILL EASE THIS HURT. MAY GOD BLESS ALL FO OUR HEROES IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY.
By Al Armstrong
August 13, 2005 04:10 PM | Link to this
I am a member of American Legion Post 251 in Duluth GA. I am a Marine Veteran that served in Viet Nam. My wife and I attended the service today at St. Benedicts church. It was a beautiful ceremony. If there is anything I can do for the family, please do not hesitate to call upon me. I am proud to be a fellow Veteran of Charles. Semper Fi Sir, Al Armstrong Service Officer American Legion Post 251 Duluth GA
By Barry Coombs
August 15, 2005 10:23 AM | Link to this
Charles gave his life for our freedoms..there can be no greater sacrifice! He believed in his country and did his duty. He exemplifes the type of person who truly makes this nation the finest in the world! God bless him and his family!
By Major Michael Dunnings
August 17, 2005 11:11 AM | Link to this
I am a member of the 3-345th TSB at Fort Gillem, GA and we are the Training Support Battalion that provided much of the post mobilization training to the 48th BCT at Fort Stewart. I hurt to hear about your loss as it is our loss as well. My prayers go out to you and I pray that a sense of peace comes to you soon. I too seek peace following the loss of every soldier but more so with the soldiers of the 48th. They came though my training and I just wanted them all to come home safely. They are true heroes!