A fallen soldier is being remembered as a local hero. Family, friends and even strangers said goodbye to Sergeant Dillon Foxx at his funeral Friday morning.
TRAVERSE CITY -- Flags lined the walkway of Traverse City's Hagerty Center early Friday morning. A somber mood, yet a patriotic spirit as people paid their respects to 22-year old Sergeant Dillon Foxx.
"I just think it really brings it home that it's somebody in your own backyard that was in Afghanistan and has passed away," says Dan Brady of Traverse City.
"This young man lost his life. He gave the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our country. My heart goes out to his family," says Traverse City resident, Marianne Abramson.
It's a family and a community in mourning. A local hero lost but not forgotten. Sergeant foxx graduated in 2006 from Traverse City West Senior High. He then went on to serve in the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division.
"My son also serves in the 82nd Airborne. This is his second tour in Iraq and he is 22 years old and it just really hits close to home. I feel for this child's family. I do. I can't imagine my son not coming home," says Elk Rapids resident, Mary Gallagher.
It's personal stories like this that brought out people from around the state, even complete strangers to say simply say, "thank you."
"He laid down his life for us and I know the family but it's my way of showing support. I believe in what their son did. Being a veteran of the Gulf War myself is something I feel compelled to do," says Midland resident, Jim Johnston.
"You'd want somebody to do that for your child....I just feel for his mother and his child who he leaves behind," says Gallagher.
"It's just a reminder that our freedom is really not free. There's soldiers dying every day for our freedom," says Brady.
Soldiers who are thousands of miles away just like Sergeant Foxx putting our country before themselves. Now, a community is stepping up to show its support for his sacrifice.
"I think it's very touching. It's an honor that he lived up here, that he was part of our community and my heart goes out to his family and all the American military," says Abramson
During the memorial service, Army personal presented Sergeant Foxx's family with military honors including a purple heart and a flag presentation. He leaves behind a seven-month old son, his parents and several other family members.
