Jim Fair
From the right, front row are: Kaye "Mimi" Hicks, paternal grandmother, Chan Hicks, father, Deliah and Wesley Bo, daughter and son, and Amy Hicks Shaulih, mother.
Jim Fair
A commemorative coin is laid atop Sgt. Hicks' casket as the last military rite in today's funeral.
Jim Fair
A soldier stands at attention frequently saluting the flags that were given to Sgt. Hicks' father, mother and two chldren.
John Morgan, a WW II veteran, came to pay his respects to Sgt. Hicks at Wood Memorial Park today. Morgan, serving in the combined Army/Air Force 1943-1946, was stationed in Germany.
The greater Greer community and beyond have embraced Hicks’ families with an outpouring of love and respect for nearly the past two weeks that father Chan Hicks called “surreal.”
Rep. Trey Gowdy (District 4) gave a speech today on the floor of the House of Representatives honoring Hicks.
The funeral today at Fairview Baptist Church and burial at Wood Memorial Park ended a solemn three days. Crowds appeared on virtually every street from Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport Monday through downtown Greer. Many were waving flags and active military and veterans saluted as Hicks’ procession passed. A two-hour scheduled visitation turned into a four-hour tribute Tuesday evening.
Hicks, 24, suffered fatal injuries on Nov. 16 when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire, according to the Department of Defense. Spc. Joseph A. Richardson, 23, of Booneville, Ark., was also killed in the attack. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
A poignant moment during today’s military rites occurred when Kay “Mimi” Hicks, Bo’s paternal grandmother, who cared for him throughout his youth, was presented the American flag that accompanied him throughout his journey home from Afghanistan. She caressed the flag throughout the ceremony, holding it securely in her arms.
Sgt. Hicks was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, among other medals, before Tuesday’s visitation at Fairview Baptist Church. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces who are wounded in action and posthumously to the next of kin for those who are killed in action or die of wounds. The Bronze Star is a U.S. Medal for heroic or meritorious achievement or service.
Other military honors presented to Hicks’ family included: Army Accommodation Medal, Army Good Conduct Award and the Afghanistan Campaign Award.
Staff Sgt. Dudley Ross, who saw his son, Pfc. Adam Ross, 19, buried about 40 paces away on July 24, comforted the Hicks faamily. “I just want to let them know Amanda (Adam Ross’ mother) and I are here for them,” Ross said, “if they want somebody to talk to or just have a cup of coffee.”
Staff Sgt. Ross said, “I told (Hicks’) mother and father he died a hero. She said, ‘They both died as heroes.’ ”
