Hopkins County Mourns
Fallen Hometown Hero
Sunday Afternoon

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

His grandmother fashioned floral tributes for almost every family in Hopkins County, as she worked at the local florist, but on Sunday afternoon, a patriotic Hopkins County paused to pay tribute to Staff Sgt. Michael Chad Lloyd, her first casualty in the Iraq War. Citizens braved intense heat to line the streets of Sulphur Springs from First Baptist Church to the Sulphur Springs City Cemetery, as they proudly waved American flags and saluted the funeral procession, as it made its way along the route.

 

Staff Sgt. Michael Chadwick Lloyd
1982 - 2006

 

"I think it is the least we could do, to show how much we appreciate the great sacrifice that has been made for our freedom," expressed one local resident, as she wiped perspiration from her brow.

 

 

"His granddaddy cut my meat at the local Bridges and Piggly Wiggly stores, for years," expressed another lady. "And, Francis was always there to fix a flower arrangement when we had a tragedy in our life. He's one of us, who's given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom."

 

 

Staff Sgt. Lloyd was killed in action on Saturday, August 12, 2006, while on his second tour of duty in Iraq. He had served in the U.S. Army for six years and was a member of the 10th Calvary, 4th Infantry Division, stationed from Ft. Hood, Texas.

 

Lloyd is survived by his father and step-mother of Sulphur Springs, his mother of Corpus Christi, his wife, of Ft. Hood, and a small son.

 

 

 

 

Services were conducted at First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs at 3:00 p.m., Sunday.

 

 

God Bless America
And Those Who Serve!

_____