The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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August 15, 2007

A soldier's solemn ride home

Honor guard brings fallen soldier back to family

Dan Linehan

A dozen boots quickly but simultaneously smacking concrete was the only sound Tuesday morning, as six honor guard members marched to the plane, retrieved the casket of Staff Sgt. Jacob Thompson, and carried it to the hearse.

Flanking them were seven leather-clad flag carriers, members of the Patriot Guard, an organization that honors fallen soldiers at their families’ request.

Led by a North Mankato squad car, a fire engine and seven motorcycle riders, the hearse left the airport and drove on Highway 14. Residents in the Thompson family’s quiet lower North neighborhood stopped and stared, and one woman stood in the sidewalk holding an American flag.

As the other vehicles waited, the hearse pulled up to the Thompson house, at 601 Cornelia St.

Jacob’s father, Charlie, approached the hearse, opened it and leaned inside.

He stood there, appearing to shake a bit, for what felt like a minute or two but might have been longer.

Across the street, a construction crew stopped what they were doing and watched, just as silent as everyone else.

A flag at 607 Cornelia flew at half-staff, as did the flags at the Thompson home. About 30 miniature flags lined the boulevard there.

Jacob’s funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato.

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