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Balloons were released in memory of all who died with one special gold balloon set off for JD -photo by Gray Cannan
A Celebration of Life ceremony in honor of what would have been SPC Jason Dean Hunt's 23rd birthday will take place in downtown Tipton this Saturday, Aug. 21.
The celebration will included a parade through downtown Tipton with police cars, fire trucks, Patriot Guard Riders, limos, Tipton's graduating class of 2005 and more. The parade was followed by pre-ceremony entertainment. All proceeds from food and T-shirt sales will fund a memorial to be constructed in front of Tipton's high school in Hunt's honor. The memorial concept was announced during the ceremony at the Tipton football field. Food and refreshments were also provided in a separate area for TPS school administration, Patriot Guard Riders, military and media.
SPC Jason Dean Hunt ("J.D." to his close friends and family) was the only soldier from Oklahoma killed during the Fort Hood shooting rampage on Nov. 5, 2009. Hunt was an active duty army infantryman and deployed to Iraq from 2007-2009. He was preparing for a 2nd deployment to Iraq when he was killed in the Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood. The 22-year-old was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division's 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team.
The ceremony consisted of musicians including an electric guitarist, a Celtic vocalist and bagpipe players from the Addison fire department in Addison, Texas. The Red Dirt band “3 Mile Curve” provided the pre-ceremony entertainment. The band donated their time.
Hunt's sister also spoke, and there was a balloon release at the end of the ceremony. Military, veterans and Patriot Guard Riders also attended.
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