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Hudson native buried with full military honors

Alan Rogers

Ellie Parsons (left), widow of Sgt. Jason Parsons, watches along with his mother and stepfather, Margaret and Ken Pritchard, as his casket is delivered to Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir on Saturday.

DETAILS

Jason Parsons’ medals and accolades:

• Bronze Star

• Purple Heart

• Army Good Conduct Medal

• National Defense Service Medal

• 2 Bronze Service Stars

• Afghanistan Campaign Medal

• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

• Army Service Ribbon

• Overseas Service Ribbon

• NATO Medal

• Combat Infantrymen Badge

• Expert Weapons Badge

* Promoted posthumously to sergeant

By Richard Gould | Hickory Daily Record

Published: January 17, 2009

LENOIR - A flock of dark birds flew across the gray sky as a soldier played taps and hundreds paid their respects as the body of Sgt. Jason Ray Parsons, 24, of Hudson, was laid to rest.

Parsons was buried will military honors in the bitter cold Saturday afternoon and his wife, Ellie, sobbed as a soldier kneeled to give her the folded American flag that had shrouded her husband's casket.

Since childhood, Parsons' goal had been to be a soldier and he joined the Army after he graduated from South Caldwell High School, said his aunt, Lynn Teeters. He was 18-years-old. Parsons first enlisted in 2001, then re-enlisted in 2007. Military service was a strong tradition in his family and he planned to make a career out of his military service, said Teeters.

The Army was a good fit for Parsons. "He'd call me and talk about the military and how much he loved it," said Teeters.

On Jan. 9, Parsons was driving a Humvee on patrol in the Zabul province of Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated.

Parsons, Maj. Brian Mescall, 33, of Massachusetts, and Spc. Joseph Hernandez, 24, of Indiana, were killed in the blast, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Parsons was serving with the U.S. Army's 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment out of Hohenfels, Germany.

"He loved being in Germany and the German people. He considered Germany a second home," Teeters said.

It was in Germany that he met and married Ellie nearly four years ago, becoming a stepfather to her three children, Manuel, 12, Jasmine, 11, and Daniel, 5. They traveled from Germany to attend his funeral.

Patriot Guard Riders lined the sidewalk in front of Lower Creek Baptist Church, gripping poles topped with American flags to demonstrate their appreciation and respect for Parson's sacrifice.

Inside the church, the altar was lined with flowers surrounding a flag-draped casket.

Pastor Dave Borton said he first met Parsons when parsons was 14, and said, "Jason lived his life wide-open — if he was a motorcycle, he would be full throttle all the way."

"Commitment, loyalty and giving his best — that's how he lived his life," said Borton.

Parsons was an active member of his church and, although he wasn't a minister, he did give a sermon.

"Jason did preach one day. He preached his heart out. He preached on, 'I am a soldier — a soldier of Christ.'"

The low rumble of 15 motorcycles ridden by Patriot Guard Riders announced the arrival of the hearse at the gravesite. Six soldiers carried the casket to the grave.

"We have questions that will not be answered," said Army Chaplain Matt Miller. He looked at the crowd and said of Parsons, "He will be missed. He will be remembered, and someday we will be reunited with him."