A crowd poured into the University of Arkansas Community College's Independence Hall to bid a final salute to Cpl. Jimmy Buie of Floral Friday. Some knew him; some didn't.
Photos of Buie helping his stepsons with a go-cart, his wedding and various pictures of his tour in Iraq flashed on a screen as the service begin.
Buie, 43, was killed Jan. 4 in the al-Shaab district of Baghdad, Iraq by an improvised explosive device. He left behind Lisa, his wife of four years, and two stepsons, Ryan and Tyler Campbell.
With nearly 500 people attending the funeral, there were very few empty seats. The family was escorted to the front middle section of the auditorium. The members of Company B were seated in the rows behind them.
"Three friends, three soldiers, three American heroes," Maj. Gen. Don C. Morrow described Buie and two other soldiers who died in the same incident: Spc. Josh Marcum of Evening Shade and Sgt. Jeremy McHalffey of Mabelvale. "Those are the folks we honor this week. Three soldiers from this area gave their all for our country."
The soldiers were with the 2nd Platoon of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion of Arkansas' 39th Infantry Brigade.
"Cpl. Jimmy Buie was truly an outstanding American hero," said Morrow, who is the adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard. "As I've had the honor to speak about several of our soldiers, I find that each of them are outstanding Americans, or they wouldn't have been doing what they were doing.
"Jimmy was truly dedicated to the job he was doing in Iraq," Morrow continued. "He made many friends among the Iraqis, and it caused him pain to see the Iraqis' living conditions.
"His mother and dad did a terrific job with Jimmy Buie," Morrow added. "He was truly an outstanding American."
Sgt. Maj. Deborah Collins read each medal and award citation as Morrow presented them to Lisa and Buie's parents, Jessie and Carolyn Buie: the Bronze Star Medal for giving the ultimate sacrifice, the Purple Heart for injuries received, Combat Infantry Badge for serving ground combat during enemy hostile fire and the Arkansas Distinguished Service Medal.
Many describe Buie as a loving family man but also as a man who searched for purpose. As one of five children, Buie understood the definition of teamwork.
"Family was the love of Jimmy's life," said the Rev. Wayne Thomas of the First Church of the Nazarene. "Just like Jesus, he (Buie) knew what he was doing, and why he was doing it ... he did it for all of us," Thomas said about Buie's choice to serve his country again. "When you see the stars and stripes on the flag, or you see the stars in the sky at night, take a moment to honor Jimmy."
Buie joined the military after high school because he wanted to do something that had meaning, according to his brother-in-law, Gerald Mason.
Serving seven years, "he still had the question in his heart, 'Who am I; who am I?'," Mason said. "'Til the day he met Lisa ... it made a difference in Jimmy. He found his purpose; he found his cause; he found his identity; he found out who he was."
According to Mason, Buie was an active member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Batesville. Buie talked with a recruiter and re-enlisted while manning a church booth at the Independence County Fair. In October he went to Fort Hood, Texas before his deployment to Iraq. Three months later, his body lay in a flag draped casket at the end of a large, dimly lit auditorium.
"The uniform made the man. It's changed him; he's back in his atmosphere. He's doing what he wants to do," Mason said he heard Lisa say.
"He wanted to make a difference and serve his country," Mason continued.
Beginning with Morrow, each person in military uniform, one by one, gave a last salute as they passed the flag-draped casket. The Honor Guard then wheeled it up the aisle to the waiting hearse.
After the family was escorted from the auditorium, the crowd followed. The cars then proceeded from the packed parking lot at UACCB to Oaklawn Cemetery.
An American flag hung over the entrance of the cemetery as each car passed underneath.
Under the blue tent, Thomas offered a few words and read a poem.
The crowd of mourners huddled under and around the tent. Two pallbearers raised the burial flag, holding it waist high and stretched over the casket while "Taps" was played in the distance and three volleys from seven rifles were fired into the air. The two men then folded the flag into a triangle and handed it to Morrow. Kneeling, Morrow presented it to Lisa "on behalf of a grateful nation."
Photos of Buie helping his stepsons with a go-cart, his wedding and various pictures of his tour in Iraq flashed on a screen as the service begin.
Buie, 43, was killed Jan. 4 in the al-Shaab district of Baghdad, Iraq by an improvised explosive device. He left behind Lisa, his wife of four years, and two stepsons, Ryan and Tyler Campbell.
With nearly 500 people attending the funeral, there were very few empty seats. The family was escorted to the front middle section of the auditorium. The members of Company B were seated in the rows behind them.
"Three friends, three soldiers, three American heroes," Maj. Gen. Don C. Morrow described Buie and two other soldiers who died in the same incident: Spc. Josh Marcum of Evening Shade and Sgt. Jeremy McHalffey of Mabelvale. "Those are the folks we honor this week. Three soldiers from this area gave their all for our country."
The soldiers were with the 2nd Platoon of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion of Arkansas' 39th Infantry Brigade.
"Cpl. Jimmy Buie was truly an outstanding American hero," said Morrow, who is the adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard. "As I've had the honor to speak about several of our soldiers, I find that each of them are outstanding Americans, or they wouldn't have been doing what they were doing.
"Jimmy was truly dedicated to the job he was doing in Iraq," Morrow continued. "He made many friends among the Iraqis, and it caused him pain to see the Iraqis' living conditions.
"His mother and dad did a terrific job with Jimmy Buie," Morrow added. "He was truly an outstanding American."
Sgt. Maj. Deborah Collins read each medal and award citation as Morrow presented them to Lisa and Buie's parents, Jessie and Carolyn Buie: the Bronze Star Medal for giving the ultimate sacrifice, the Purple Heart for injuries received, Combat Infantry Badge for serving ground combat during enemy hostile fire and the Arkansas Distinguished Service Medal.
Many describe Buie as a loving family man but also as a man who searched for purpose. As one of five children, Buie understood the definition of teamwork.
"Family was the love of Jimmy's life," said the Rev. Wayne Thomas of the First Church of the Nazarene. "Just like Jesus, he (Buie) knew what he was doing, and why he was doing it ... he did it for all of us," Thomas said about Buie's choice to serve his country again. "When you see the stars and stripes on the flag, or you see the stars in the sky at night, take a moment to honor Jimmy."
Buie joined the military after high school because he wanted to do something that had meaning, according to his brother-in-law, Gerald Mason.
Serving seven years, "he still had the question in his heart, 'Who am I; who am I?'," Mason said. "'Til the day he met Lisa ... it made a difference in Jimmy. He found his purpose; he found his cause; he found his identity; he found out who he was."
According to Mason, Buie was an active member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Batesville. Buie talked with a recruiter and re-enlisted while manning a church booth at the Independence County Fair. In October he went to Fort Hood, Texas before his deployment to Iraq. Three months later, his body lay in a flag draped casket at the end of a large, dimly lit auditorium.
"The uniform made the man. It's changed him; he's back in his atmosphere. He's doing what he wants to do," Mason said he heard Lisa say.
"He wanted to make a difference and serve his country," Mason continued.
Beginning with Morrow, each person in military uniform, one by one, gave a last salute as they passed the flag-draped casket. The Honor Guard then wheeled it up the aisle to the waiting hearse.
After the family was escorted from the auditorium, the crowd followed. The cars then proceeded from the packed parking lot at UACCB to Oaklawn Cemetery.
An American flag hung over the entrance of the cemetery as each car passed underneath.
Under the blue tent, Thomas offered a few words and read a poem.
The crowd of mourners huddled under and around the tent. Two pallbearers raised the burial flag, holding it waist high and stretched over the casket while "Taps" was played in the distance and three volleys from seven rifles were fired into the air. The two men then folded the flag into a triangle and handed it to Morrow. Kneeling, Morrow presented it to Lisa "on behalf of a grateful nation."
A crowd poured into the University of Arkansas Community College's Independence Hall to bid a final salute to Cpl. Jimmy Buie of Floral Friday. Some knew him; some didn't.
Photos of Buie helping his stepsons with a go-cart, his wedding and various pictures of his tour in Iraq flashed on a screen as the service begin.
Buie, 43, was killed Jan. 4 in the al-Shaab district of Baghdad, Iraq by an improvised explosive device. He left behind Lisa, his wife of four years, and two stepsons, Ryan and Tyler Campbell.
With nearly 500 people attending the funeral, there were very few empty seats. The family was escorted to the front middle section of the auditorium. The members of Company B were seated in the rows behind them.
"Three friends, three soldiers, three American heroes," Maj. Gen. Don C. Morrow described Buie and two other soldiers who died in the same incident: Spc. Josh Marcum of Evening Shade and Sgt. Jeremy McHalffey of Mabelvale. "Those are the folks we honor this week. Three soldiers from this area gave their all for our country."
The soldiers were with the 2nd Platoon of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion of Arkansas' 39th Infantry Brigade.
"Cpl. Jimmy Buie was truly an outstanding American hero," said Morrow, who is the adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard. "As I've had the honor to speak about several of our soldiers, I find that each of them are outstanding Americans, or they wouldn't have been doing what they were doing.
"Jimmy was truly dedicated to the job he was doing in Iraq," Morrow continued. "He made many friends among the Iraqis, and it caused him pain to see the Iraqis' living conditions.
"His mother and dad did a terrific job with Jimmy Buie," Morrow added. "He was truly an outstanding American."
Sgt. Maj. Deborah Collins read each medal and award citation as Morrow presented them to Lisa and Buie's parents, Jessie and Carolyn Buie: the Bronze Star Medal for giving the ultimate sacrifice, the Purple Heart for injuries received, Combat Infantry Badge for serving ground combat during enemy hostile fire and the Arkansas Distinguished Service Medal.
Many describe Buie as a loving family man but also as a man who searched for purpose. As one of five children, Buie understood the definition of teamwork.
"Family was the love of Jimmy's life," said the Rev. Wayne Thomas of the First Church of the Nazarene. "Just like Jesus, he (Buie) knew what he was doing, and why he was doing it ... he did it for all of us," Thomas said about Buie's choice to serve his country again. "When you see the stars and stripes on the flag, or you see the stars in the sky at night, take a moment to honor Jimmy."
Buie joined the military after high school because he wanted to do something that had meaning, according to his brother-in-law, Gerald Mason.
Serving seven years, "he still had the question in his heart, 'Who am I; who am I?'," Mason said. "'Til the day he met Lisa ... it made a difference in Jimmy. He found his purpose; he found his cause; he found his identity; he found out who he was."
According to Mason, Buie was an active member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Batesville. Buie talked with a recruiter and re-enlisted while manning a church booth at the Independence County Fair. In October he went to Fort Hood, Texas before his deployment to Iraq. Three months later, his body lay in a flag draped casket at the end of a large, dimly lit auditorium.
"The uniform made the man. It's changed him; he's back in his atmosphere. He's doing what he wants to do," Mason said he heard Lisa say.
"He wanted to make a difference and serve his country," Mason continued.
Beginning with Morrow, each person in military uniform, one by one, gave a last salute as they passed the flag-draped casket. The Honor Guard then wheeled it up the aisle to the waiting hearse.
After the family was escorted from the auditorium, the crowd followed. The cars then proceeded from the packed parking lot at UACCB to Oaklawn Cemetery.
An American flag hung over the entrance of the cemetery as each car passed underneath.
Under the blue tent, Thomas offered a few words and read a poem.
The crowd of mourners huddled under and around the tent. Two pallbearers raised the burial flag, holding it waist high and stretched over the casket while "Taps" was played in the distance and three volleys from seven rifles were fired into the air. The two men then folded the flag into a triangle and handed it to Morrow. Kneeling, Morrow presented it to Lisa "on behalf of a grateful nation."
Photos of Buie helping his stepsons with a go-cart, his wedding and various pictures of his tour in Iraq flashed on a screen as the service begin.
Buie, 43, was killed Jan. 4 in the al-Shaab district of Baghdad, Iraq by an improvised explosive device. He left behind Lisa, his wife of four years, and two stepsons, Ryan and Tyler Campbell.
With nearly 500 people attending the funeral, there were very few empty seats. The family was escorted to the front middle section of the auditorium. The members of Company B were seated in the rows behind them.
"Three friends, three soldiers, three American heroes," Maj. Gen. Don C. Morrow described Buie and two other soldiers who died in the same incident: Spc. Josh Marcum of Evening Shade and Sgt. Jeremy McHalffey of Mabelvale. "Those are the folks we honor this week. Three soldiers from this area gave their all for our country."
The soldiers were with the 2nd Platoon of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion of Arkansas' 39th Infantry Brigade.
"Cpl. Jimmy Buie was truly an outstanding American hero," said Morrow, who is the adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard. "As I've had the honor to speak about several of our soldiers, I find that each of them are outstanding Americans, or they wouldn't have been doing what they were doing.
"Jimmy was truly dedicated to the job he was doing in Iraq," Morrow continued. "He made many friends among the Iraqis, and it caused him pain to see the Iraqis' living conditions.
"His mother and dad did a terrific job with Jimmy Buie," Morrow added. "He was truly an outstanding American."
Sgt. Maj. Deborah Collins read each medal and award citation as Morrow presented them to Lisa and Buie's parents, Jessie and Carolyn Buie: the Bronze Star Medal for giving the ultimate sacrifice, the Purple Heart for injuries received, Combat Infantry Badge for serving ground combat during enemy hostile fire and the Arkansas Distinguished Service Medal.
Many describe Buie as a loving family man but also as a man who searched for purpose. As one of five children, Buie understood the definition of teamwork.
"Family was the love of Jimmy's life," said the Rev. Wayne Thomas of the First Church of the Nazarene. "Just like Jesus, he (Buie) knew what he was doing, and why he was doing it ... he did it for all of us," Thomas said about Buie's choice to serve his country again. "When you see the stars and stripes on the flag, or you see the stars in the sky at night, take a moment to honor Jimmy."
Buie joined the military after high school because he wanted to do something that had meaning, according to his brother-in-law, Gerald Mason.
Serving seven years, "he still had the question in his heart, 'Who am I; who am I?'," Mason said. "'Til the day he met Lisa ... it made a difference in Jimmy. He found his purpose; he found his cause; he found his identity; he found out who he was."
According to Mason, Buie was an active member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Batesville. Buie talked with a recruiter and re-enlisted while manning a church booth at the Independence County Fair. In October he went to Fort Hood, Texas before his deployment to Iraq. Three months later, his body lay in a flag draped casket at the end of a large, dimly lit auditorium.
"The uniform made the man. It's changed him; he's back in his atmosphere. He's doing what he wants to do," Mason said he heard Lisa say.
"He wanted to make a difference and serve his country," Mason continued.
Beginning with Morrow, each person in military uniform, one by one, gave a last salute as they passed the flag-draped casket. The Honor Guard then wheeled it up the aisle to the waiting hearse.
After the family was escorted from the auditorium, the crowd followed. The cars then proceeded from the packed parking lot at UACCB to Oaklawn Cemetery.
An American flag hung over the entrance of the cemetery as each car passed underneath.
Under the blue tent, Thomas offered a few words and read a poem.
The crowd of mourners huddled under and around the tent. Two pallbearers raised the burial flag, holding it waist high and stretched over the casket while "Taps" was played in the distance and three volleys from seven rifles were fired into the air. The two men then folded the flag into a triangle and handed it to Morrow. Kneeling, Morrow presented it to Lisa "on behalf of a grateful nation."
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