This article originally ran in The Western Star on Dec. 24, 2008
The Canadian Forces honoured one of their fallen soldiers in true military style Tuesday as a town laid to rest a son, friend and hero.
It was 10 days after Pte. Justin Peter Jones was killed in Afghanistan that he was finally laid to rest in his hometown of Baie Verte, just two days before Christmas.
The military personnel held nothing back in the farewell of the eighth Newfoundland soldier killed in the current conflict overseas. A 21-gun salute, bagpiper, full fleet of Royal Canadian Mounted Police dressed in their distinctive scarlet red serge, and a number of local Legionnaires were included in the ceremony at the St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church.
The town continued to show its support to the 21-year-old and the devastated family and friends he left behind. Hundreds flocked to the religious sanctitude that resulted in an overflow of mourners gathered at the elementary school next door, where the military had a large digital projection of the service displayed.
Friends, family and the officials present were greeted in the church by a collage of Jones, while the altar was decorated with an abundance of flowers, a nativity scene, and a portrait of the soldier himself.
The hearse pulled into the church parking lot just before noon, and a group of soldiers out of CFB Gagetown, N.B. secured the large casket, draped in the Canadian flag, and carried it through the brisk winter winds.
Following the nearly hour-long service, the same soldiers from Jones's home base - some of whom were said to have been close to the rookie soldier - returned him to the chilling fresh air and the awaiting hearse.
A procession took to the highway through town - where yellow ribbons and bows were placed by friends along signs and tree branches - and a private, family-only, interment gave Jones his final resting place.
Military personnel said the family asked for privacy throughout the day and were not available to media, but Brig.-Gen Tony Stack issued a statement and took questions on behalf of the Canadian Forces.
"...We stand with Anthony and Rowena as they honour the life of their son and only child Justin," he said. "We also stand with Kayla Madsen as she bids goodbye to her beloved soulmate.
"Pte. Justin Jones died making a difference for Canada and Afghanistan."
Stack described Jones as an exceptional soldier, citizen and wonderful human being who positively influenced so many lives in his short time.
"He touched a lot of lives in Canada, in this community, and he was a part of something bigger than just himself in bringing peace and security to a very troubled land," he said. "His mother and father expressed to me so many times that Justin was always about somebody else, always about helping, and he lived that life. He didn't just say it, he lived it, actively here in the community, in his battalion, and overseas in Kandahar."
Meanwhile, Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte MP Gerry Byrne travelled from Corner Brook to attend the service to honour an individual he has heard so many good things about. He said he wanted to show his support for the community, family and friends by attending.
"The service was absolutely beautiful," he said. "It was filled with respect, in a military tradition with honour, but also filled full of emotion in a family and community sense. It was a powerful send off to an incredibly well-loved young man."
Following the funeral, the community gathered at the Kinscentre where an abundance of food was offered to the many people who attended the reception.
Kevin Pollard, the Baie Verte-Springdale legislature member, emceed the short official portion of the event.
Lt.-Gov. John Crosbie attended and spoke of the mission overseas, while Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dave Denine passed on his condolences to those in attendance on behalf of the provincial government. Denine presented the Joneses with a Newfoundland and Labrador flag on behalf of the Canadian Forces members currently serving in Afghanistan, while Pollard gave them a DVD and official copy of the Hansard containing his member statement acknowledging the soldier's death.
In a wake held in Baie Verte Monday night, Jones's parents and girlfriend were each given a Memorial Cross, awarded to next of kin of Canadian soldiers who died on active duty or whose death was consequently attributed to such duty.
