Published: August 01, 2009 05:44 pm      

Respecting the fallen

Death of soldier sparks emotional response from community

DUNCAN — When the procession escorting the family of Spc. Dennis Pratt to Fort Sill passed through Duncan on Friday, a variety of emotions surged through the bystanders lining the road with flags and banners in hand.

There were expressions of sympathy for the Pratt family, of support for the armed forces everywhere, and some dismay that U.S. troops had to be put in harm’s way.

Shelly Petersen of Duncan stood in front of First Bank & Trust Co. downtown with her sons, Ben, 12, and Sam, 8.

“We just wanted to express our gratitude to the family. I wanted my sons to see the procession. It gave them a more personal aspect of the sacrifice.

“We have five sons, and two of the boys have lived out of the country. They came home. This experience helped my family develop a greater appreciation of the sacrifice of those who did not,” she said.

Ross and Frances Coleman of Duncan, and their son, Cavin, of Pampa, Texas, held a large flag as they watched the procession pass down U.S. Highway 81.

“It is a warm feeling to know that so many in our community turned out to support our country. It was a great honor. We’re just Americans,” Frances Coleman said.

Sharon Hobson, military support chairman for the Stephens County Oklahoma Home and Community Education groups, said members of her organization turned out in their yellow shirts to show support for everyone serving in the military, as well as the Pratt family specifically.

“OHCE has carried out a variety of projects to support our troops, and will continue doing so. Lining the route was just another way we could show support. It’s something easy for us, but we are constantly aware that it’s not easy for the soldiers and what they go through every day. Freedom is not free,” she said.

Each of the five county OHCE groups will decide how it will acknowledge Pratt’s sacrifice.

“In one of our military support workshops at the state convention, we heard from a military wife. She emphasized the importance of continuing support for a family who experiences a loss. Sure, they’re bombarded with offers of help now, but they will still need support later when it all sinks in. We hope people in the community will remember what happened and that it could all too easily happen again,” Hobson said, citing the many local families who have sons and daughters deployed to war zones.

Harold Feltman, a retired U.S. Navy senior chief petty officer, took his place with the Patriot Guard Riders on Friday to escort the Pratt family to Fort Sill for the funeral at Frontier Chapel and burial in Fort Sill National Cemetery.

“We do it out of honor and respect for those who freely gave their lives for their country. They deserve recognition for what they did, and the family and the country deserve our support, too.

“The Patriot Guard Riders was formed in August of 2005 in response to that church in Kansas that pickets military funerals and leads protests. We will not tolerate that kind of behavior toward our military people and their families. In less than a year, we had 120,000 members, and now have more than 200,000 members nationwide. We will provide an escort for any veteran who served his or her country at any time if the family requests it.

“You don’t have to be a veteran — or even a bike rider — to participate in the PGR. Anyone who cares about our military people and what they do to maintain our freedom is welcome to join us,” he said.

Lt. Gov. Jari Askins was not a part of the escort procession, but met the Pratt family at Fort Sill and attended the services. She issued the following statement to The Banner:

“Specialist Pratt embodied the true spirit of Oklahoma; his love for his family and his country was beyond compare. As a third-generation soldier, Dennis exemplified the qualities of a devoted father and patriot. He will be greatly missed. Duncan has lost a beloved son today.”