Hundreds Ignore Rain, Show Support For Edmond Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

Havonnah Johnson, News 9

EDMOND, Oklahoma – More than 1,000 people showed up with American flags, signs and pictures to support an Oklahoma National Guard soldier killed in Afghanistan.

A funeral was held Thursday for 2nd Lt. Jered Ewy at Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Edmond. The 33 year old grew up in Edmond. He was killed July 29 when his unit was attacked with homemade bombs. Twenty-two-year-old Oklahoma National Guard Spc. Augustus Vicari of Broken Arrow was also killed in the same attack.

Ewy died during his third tour of Afghanistan. Friends say the devoted husband was still basking in the glow of becoming a new father. His daughter is just 2 months old. His family describes him as a jokester who loved his family, his country and his fellow soldiers in the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry.

Hundreds of people lined the street along Ewy's funeral route to show their support, despite the stormy weather. They waved American flags, signs and pictures of the fallen hero.

"We wanted to make this a positive and show Oklahomans can stand together and that we are proud of our soldiers and it shows right here today," Todd Jordan said. Jordan helped organize the rally on Facebook.

President Barack Obama awarded Ewy the purple heart.