Community Bids Farewell to Fallen Soldier

An Arkansas guardsman killed in Iraq is remembered as a man who always looked out for others. Twenty-four year old Staff Sergeant Hesley Box, Jr. was laid to rest in his hometown Saturday. Family and friends who remembered Box at his services share pride in their soldier who died for his country. Box`s high school football coach says he remembers Box as a good player and a tough kid--always helping others up when they were down. That tough kid turned soldier is also remembered by the guardsmen who couldn`t attend his services because they`re still serving in Iraq. "That they loved him and that he gave his all," said the mother of one of those soldiers during the funeral. "He protected his younger soldiers which was my son." "If Sgt. Box had not taken the action that he did at that checkpoint, other soldiers would have lost their lives," said Maj. Gen. Don Morrow, Arkansas National Guard. Box`s family received his Bronze Star medal and the Purple Heart along with several other awards from the National Guard, State of Arkansas, and USA. Box served seven years in the guard. He`s buried at the Pleasant Hill Cememetery in Chidester, Arkansas. He was killed on May 6, when a car bomb detonated near his guard post in Iraq.