Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of residents from White and North Georgia mountain communities lined  a 14-mile stretch of Hwys. 129 and 75 to honor the memory of their fallen hero, Sgt. Jason Harkins, as his funeral procession passed Friday.“It is overwhelming,†Harkins’ mom, Nancy Fritchey, said of the community’s response.“We’ve never seen a community put forth so much kindness and love,†said Harkins’ step-mom April Harkins of Cleveland. “We didn’t expect anything like this.â€The county demonstrated its appreciation for Harkins and his family as the soldier was laid to rest 11 days after he was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq. Most businesses shut down as the funeral procession made its way past thousands of U.S. flags that were raised in solemn solidarity on the route, including one hoisted high above U.S. 129 by two Georgia Power utility trucks and another by two White County fire department vehicles.
Jeff “Jaydub†Goodiel of Norcross, one of about 35 Patriot Guard Riders who gave a motorcycle escort for Harkins’ body, said he’s been to 27 military funerals but that Friday’s outpouring stood out.
“I am still in jaw-dropping awe at the sight of literally thousands of people who put their lives on hold to show respect for a fallen son of their community,†said Goodiel. “Thank you to the wonderful people of the community who honored Sgt. Harkins by simply being there for this beautiful family.â€
Before the procession, hundreds of people filled the worship center at Concord Baptist Church in Clermont for his funeral service. Harkins’ youth pastor when he was a teen at the church, the Rev. Russ Butcher, remembered him as a quiet, wiry kid who decided one Wednesday night to put his faith in Jesus.“Jason did not die,†said Butcher. “He just transitioned into eternity with Christ.â€
The Rev. Darwood Santmier, pastor of the home church of Jason’s wife, Emily Harkins, and the man who married them, recalled his own joy while counseling them before their wedding in 2006. That’s when he learned that Emily’s future fiance was a serious, purposeful Christian.
“They were obviously head over heels in love,†said Santmier.
Santmier said the true measure of a man is not his length of life, or fame, or influence, but his depth of character. On that count, said Santmier, Harkins was a great man.
After a family member played a song written by Emily Harkins before her husband’s death about the challenges and the pride of being a military wife, the Rev. Alan Morris of Concord Baptist Church rose to remember Harkins as a soldier for the country and a soldier of the cross.
Morris recalled how weeks before his death, Harkins’ went into a danger zone and saved the life of one of his soldiers, Casey Turner. Harkins told family members he couldn’t wait to return home to show them the bullet that stuck in his helmet during the rescue. Because of Harkins, a wife and son still have a husband and daddy, said Morris.
Morris said Harkins died doing what he felt called to do. Even if he had known the fate that awaited him, Harkins’ brother Matthew, a junior at WCHS, said he would have gone to Iraq anyway.
Morris said Harkins also left an example of the importance of a relationship with God, and encouraged the mourners to make that their priority.
Without faith, your death will be only one tragedy, said Morris. No greater legacy could be left on Jason’s behalf than to know you accepted the salvation of God’s son.
Among those in attendance Friday was one of Harkins’ comrades in Iraq, Tyrese Faulkner. The chamber of commerce helped arrange for Faulkner to stay in a local hotel for free and local restaurants provided his meals.
Faulker is expected to return to Iraq soon.
After the funeral, about 50 Patriot Guard Riders on motorcycles escorted the hearse and a three-mile-long procession north on U.S. 129 to Yonah View Memorial Gardens. The procession passed crowds gathered at intersections, businesses and homes along the route from Clermont to Cleveland.
Les Green of Sautee-Nacoochee, a Patriot Guard Rider who 40 years ago served in the same Army division as Harkins, said he’s ridden in a couple of parades and military funerals before, but said he’s never seen quite a turnout like this anywhere.
It’s amazing, said Green. When you ride down the road they’re not cheering, they’re somber out of respect. It brings a tear to the eye. It’s a very emotional experience.
Green said if White County is representative of rural America, we’re in pretty good shape.
At the cemetery, Brig. Gen. Michael Rounds presented the family with Harkins’ Bronze Star for valor and Purple Heart for bravery. Meanwhile, a large transport plane from Harkins’ home base at Fort Lewis, Wash., flew overhead. Then came the 13-gun salute and then the somber trumpet strains of âTaps echoing around the hushed crowd and the base of Mt. Yonah.
Soldiers folded the flag draped over Harkins’ coffin into a tight triangle, tucked the traditional gun casings inside, and handed it to a tearful Emily Harkins.
Jason Harkins’ casket was later lowered into the earth, and a family was left to mourn and a county left grieving but with a quiet unity brought by the death of one of its own.
God Bless America.
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As a Realtor, I am always attempting to get the latest and best North Georgia Mountain information for my customers, clients, friends and neighbors. They’ll call and ask me, “Harriet, Who do I call to get my utilities turned on? Where is the Tax Office? Do you know any good Restaurants? Where are the banks located? Where can I take my animal to the groomer? And countless other questions about products, businesses and services in North Georgia.