Both loved ones and strangers come out to say thanks to fallen soldier

LOWELL, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Flags across the State of Michigan flew at half-staff Friday. Governor Jennifer Granholm ordered the flags lowered in salute to Sergeant Lucas Beachnaw.

Sgt. Beachnaw is from the small town of Lowell, a tight-night community where there has been much support for the Beachnaw family.

Out of the hundreds who arrived in the area Friday to say goodbye to Sgt. Beachnaw, there were many strangers, people who never met Beachnaw, but knew of his service. Some drove from miles and miles away to simply say 'thank you.'

They stood in front of the Ada Bible Church, holding American flags to honor Army Sgt. Lucas Beachnaw. Members of the Patriot Guard came from across the state, including Shawn Flippo, who never met the 23-year-old Beachnaw, but felt it necessary to say thank you.

"It's heart-wrenching, it is," said Flippo. "It brings you to tears, I personally didn't know Sgt. Beachnaw, but the least I can do is stand for the young man."

Jan Gillisee didn't know the Army Sergeant either, but knows his family's pain. Her nephew, Rick Harama, was killed in Baghdad in 2006. Gillisee showed up, clutching a homemade poster with his picture and others who died in combat.

"God never fails," said Gillisse, "it's a rough, dark time, but he'll walk alongside you, and we love you, and we just want to support you."

Sgt. Beachnaw's body was taken to his final resting place with the Patriot Guard riding by his side, the only way they know to honor the soldier's sacrifice.

"We always tell everybody if you can't ride with tears in your eyes, don't go," said one member of the Patriot Guard, "and most were doing real good until we came over the bridge and saw the flags on it."