Published Thursday, June 11, 2009
Fallen soldier coming home
The Times-Herald
The soldiers from Newnan's own Bravo Company have made it to the other side of the world, and neighboring counties of Fayette and Henry are preparing to pay their respects to a soldier who died in Afghanistan.
Members of the 48th Infantry Brigade Bravo Company Second Battalion have arrived in Manas, Kyrgyzstan -- described by First Lt. Jason Rich as "our first step to getting into Afghanistan." Rich talked about the 24-hour flight from Mississippi in an e-mail received early Wednesday.
Staff Sgt. John C. Beale, 39, of McDonough was killed in action in Afghanistan on June 4. An Army carry team handled the transfer ceremony when Beale's remains arrived at Dover Air Force Base, Del., on Saturday.
Beale was one of three Georgia soldiers killed June 4 near Kapisa, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire. The others were Maj. Kevin M. Jenrette, 37, of Lula, and Spc. Jeffrey W. Jordan, 21, of Rome.
Beale was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 108th Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Squadron, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard in Calhoun.
According to Henry County's Web site, Beale's body is expected to arrive at Falcon Field in Peachtree City today at 6 p.m. The body will be escorted to Cannon-Cleveland Funeral Home at 2580 Highway 42 N, McDonough, by the Henry County Police Department.
Beale's family would like some time alone at the airport. People wishing to pay their respects are asked to line the route from Falcon Field to the funeral home. The route will be:
* Dividend Drive to Highway 74
* Highway 74 to Georgia Highway 85
* Highway 85 to Highway 54
* Highway 54 to McDonough Road
* McDonough Road to Jonesboro Road
* Jonesboro Road to McDonough Square
* McDonough Square to Highway 42
* Highway 42 to Brannon Road to Cannon-Cleveland.
The Henry County Web site encouraged people to spread the word -- asking "those who are able to line the streets along the route to help honor this fallen hero and give him the welcome he deserves."
News about lining the streets in Beale's honor also spread quickly via e-mail on Wednesday. Robin Stewart of Parks and Mottola in Newnan has relatives and friends in Henry County. She got the message "from a friend who lives in Henry County" and shared it with Cowetans who are veterans and some individuals involved with the Dixie Wing Commemorative Air Force, which has headquarters at Falcon Field.
Beale was a Riverdale native. He worked for Clayton County Water Authority and was a member of Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough. His wife, Crystal, survives him -- along with two children, his father and grandfather.
Beale's funeral will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church, and he will be buried at Camp Memorial Park in Fayetteville with full military honors. Beale's family has asked that memorial contributions go to the USO or the Disabled American Veterans.
Members of Bravo Company left Newnan on buses on April 11, and area residents lined downtown streets with signs and flags to wish them well. Some members of the company returned to Newnan in early June for a weekend visit with family.
Prior to reporting to Camp Shelby in Mississippi, Bravo Company was headquartered at the Jackson-Pless National Guard Armory in Newnan.
Bravo Company members are expected to fly from Kyrgyzstan to Kabul, Afghanistan, soon -- although the exact date is still undetermined. Once in Kabul, the soldiers will have "several days of Powerpoint presentations ahead of us" before heading to their base, according to Rich.
"The mood among the troops is jovial," Rich said. "I think the younger ones are looking forward to seeing what this thing called war is all about, while the more experienced ones are just happy for a break and enjoying the high morale."