Today’s Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal carries a report of the funeral of a Wayne County, Ohio, soldier who was killed in Afghanistan. Pastor Brad Kelley, of the Grace Brethren Church in nearby Homerville, Ohio, had a part in the service. A portion of the story appears below. To read the complete story and see photos, click here.
Hometown hero saluted
Wayne County soldier who died in Afghanistan is recalled as quiet leader who gave life for friends
CHESTER TWP.: The war came home to western Wayne County on Wednesday.
American flags lined the rural roads leading into the village of West Salem and along the road to Northwestern High School in neighboring Chester Township.
Outside the high school on a sweltering June afternoon, Patriot Guard Riders stood at attention.
The flag at the school was at half-staff. …
… The Rev. Bradley Kelley of Grace Brethren Church in Homerville called Runkle a ”saint” and a ”hometown hero.”
Runkle, he said, ”shared the spirit” of the words of Jesus, when he spoke of giving one’s life for his friends.
”Words cannot express the sorrow” felt by the community, Kelley said. …
To read the complete story and see photos, click here.