Hearse carries soldiers body through Boyne City
BOYNE CITY -- Thousands gathered on Boyne City streets Friday to show respects for a fallen American Hero.
US Army Private Jack Diener's body returned home today to an emotional Boyne City community.
The motorcade and the hearse carrying Private Diener's body brought the fallen hero home for the final time.
Boyne City Friday was painted red, white, and blue. American Flags were at half-staff and signs carried tributes. Just few miles from town, students who attend the same school US Army Private Jack Diener graduated from were the first to welcome him home.
"I think he's really awesome, and he served our country really well and gave us freedom," said nine year-old Tristen Selissen.
Vietnam Veteran Russell Gilmore was also on the street today.
"It takes a man like Private Diener to show he was willing to give his all," said Gilmore.
Downtown, fire ladder trucks formed an arch with a large American Flag hung at the top. Old Glory was also in the hands of everyone on the street. The crowd, which had been gathering for nearly an hour, became silent when the procession carrying Private Diener’s body home rolled by.
Some knew Private Diener personally, others did not. For people like Ed and Bonnie Bobolla, their son is in Afghanistan, and their presence was linked to a sense of community.
"We just want to support him and his family, and all of his loved ones who are left with this pain," said Bonnie Bobolla.
“This is actually jack's shirt he gave me, right before he left for boot camp," said Jack’s best friend, Corey Busch.
Busch says Jack would have turned 21 on December 30th. They had plans to celebrate, made when they last talked, seven days before November 21st, when Private Diener was killed in combat.
“Part of me is actually going to be gone, you know, he was a great friend, he was my best friend, he was one of my best friends, so part of me is going to be gone, you know?" said Busch.
Left with a t-shirt, a memory, that Busch says defines Jack to his fullest.
“I told him to keep staying safe, I love him, and to come back home," said Busch.
And tonight, Jack Diener is home.
Stone Funeral home says on its website that a celebration of Jack's life is also planned for Saturday, December 10th at 11am at the Boyne City High School. Diener was a 2009 graduate of Boyne City High School.
He was stationed at Fort Drum, NY.
