This was the friend of mine who was one of the Seals on the helo.  The events last week were amazing.  I cannot say enough about the entire community where he was from in Iowa.  From the support in coming out on Thursday when his remains flew in with about 200 Patriot Riders, cars stopped on both sides of the highway for the whole 30 or so miles to every overpass being full of people with flags.  I could not see the beginning of the procession through the windshield or the end of the line in the mirrow.  

The funeral was estimated at over 1500 in attendance with chairs filling the gym floor at the high school and bleachers pulled down on each side yet there were still more standing in the back of the gym.  One of JT's friends read a paper he had written his sophomore year in high school when he was 15 about what he wanted to be which was a Navy Seal.  His final paragraph talked about how he would be a Seal for the next 20 years and he passed twenty years later at the age of 35.   

 All of the friends and family definitely celebrated his life even though it was an emotional time.  His pictures were taken to Buffalo Wild Wings each night with shots lined up in front of them that no one drank as they were for JT.  Friday night ended with a great fireworks show and picture slideshow.  Overall, it was amazing how many came out to pay their respects and give support to his family.  Oh, and Hawkeye is quite the pup.