Hundreds line U.S. 281 to welcome home slain Marble Falls soldier
MARBLE FALLS — Community members lined the highway through the heart of the city March 15 to pay their respects as military officials returned the body of a Marble Falls High School graduate killed in Afghanistan.
The body of 19-year-old Army Pfc. Payton A. Jones arrived about noon at the Horseshoe Bay Airport.
On March 1, Jones was killed in Kandahar province after Afghan security forces and an Afghan civilian turned their weapons on the soldier and 25-year-old Staff Sgt. Jordan Bear, who was from Colorado.
PHOTO 1: A plane carrying the body of Army Pfc. Payton A. Jones arrived at Horseshoe Bay Airport about noon March 15. The remains of the fallen soldier, who was killed in Afghanistan March 1, were taken to Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Marble Falls. He was a 2010 Marble Falls High School graduate. Staff photos by Connie Swinney
PHOTO 2: More than a hundred Patriot Guard Riders from the Highland Lakes and Austin area on March 15 participated in the procession for Marble Falls High School graduate Army Pfc. Payton A. Jones on U.S. 281 in Marble Falls. Staff photo by Jared Fields
PHOTO 3: Mourners including members of area chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars paid their respects as a procession carrying the remains of Army Pfc. Payton A. Jones drove past in the 400 block of U.S. 281 in Marble Falls. Photo by Jared Fields
PHOTO 4: Troop 284 Scout leader Steve Manley watches for the procession carrying Army Pfc. Payton A. Jones with Boy Scouts Dean Fairleigh (holding the flag) and Braidon Whiteside. Staff photo by Jared Fields
The two men were assigned to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Team, 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, N.C.
After the plane landed, Jones’ coffin was ceremoniously loaded into a hearse as loved ones looked on.
The procession that followed included hundreds of law enforcement, emergency services and veterans along with family members.
Vehicles left the airport grounds and headed toward Marble Falls, along FM 2147 onto U.S. 281, where hundreds of mourners, many waving U.S. flags, lined sidewalks and parking lots.
“A lot of people don’t realize that they’re still dying out there,” said Troop 284 Scout Matthew Manley, who watched the procession with fellow Scouts on 281 just off Sixth Street. “It’s good for us to be out here in the public and let them know we care about the troops.”
At the family’s request, Patriot Guard Riders such as Greg Hughes rode in the procession, which included more than a hundred motorcycles flying flags and adorned with patriotic signs and symbols.
“These soldiers go over there and fight for this country, ” Hughes said. “We owe them the freedom we have to carry on each day.”
A local official, who rode in the procession, described how the experience brought back memories of his own military service.
“I’m a Vietnam veteran. I lost many friends during the war. It’s always tragic to have this happen to one of our own or to anyone,” Burnet County Sheriff W.T. Smith said . “This is what this country is about. You’ve got to stand up for what you believe in. These folks did that. They did it for us, so it’s important we show them the same respect.”
Jones’ remains were taken to Clements Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 U.S. 281.
A public memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. March 17 at the Marble Falls High School auditorium.
Staff Writer Jared Fields contributed to this report.