May 18, 2009

 

ELMIRA-- Family, friends and neighbors are remembering a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Iraq.  Monday was the funeral service for a former Horseheads student.
     While there's still no official word on a cause of death, 21-year-old Army Private Justin Hartford now has a place of honor among fellow war veterans at Woodlawn National Cemetery.  Monday was a day the Hartford family thought came too soon.
     “I had a son that was over there for eight years, and I never thought, never thought this would happen,” said Lila Hartford, Justin’s aunt.
     Hartford was laid to rest below the American flag, flying half staff in Hartford's name-                                 
     He was surrounded by friends and family from across the region, fellow militants from all branches, and even a few perfect strangers.
     “I have real high respect for soldiers and veterans.  They do so much for our country to keep us safe from harm,” said Carol Austin of Elmira.
     Hartford recently visited home to put his own father to rest.
     Some say he left for Iraq a prankster with a smart mouth, and came back a soldier.
     “(He) came back a much different young man. He came back a young man, versus the boy that left,” said Lynn Collyar, the Army Chief of Ordinance.
     “He made something of himself, he had some trouble in the past, but he turned his life around and became a soldier,” said Donna Dacey, a close friend of the family.
     Hartford's family still doesn't know what caused his untimely death.
     While they may not have that closure, they've at least been able to say goodbye.
     “He gave his life for his country, so you know, I guess that's a good thing,” Dacey added.
     An army spokesman says it could be a month or so before a cause of death is released.