‘America’s boy’ laid to rest
By JOE GORMAN Tribune ChronicleArticle Photos
HUBBARD - Fallen U.S. Army pilot Stanley Blane Hepfner was born within days of the son of the chaplain who spoke at his funeral Tuesday.
''He could be my boy. But he's one of America's boys. But he became a man,'' Army chaplain Maj. James Boyle said. ''America stands diminished because he's gone, but stands taller because he fought for all she represents.''
Boyle was speaking before about 100 mourners who had gathered to pay their final respects at the Hubbard Union Cemetery for the 28-year-old soldier who died last month in military service.
A pilot who served with Hepfner recalled how the fallen soldier had loved life and had been devoted to finding the best in himself and in others.
Hepfner and a pilot he was flying with were killed May 27 when their OH-58 Kiowa helicopter crashed while trying to land at their base in Hawaii. The accident is under investigation by the Army.
Service members from across the country attended the funeral, as did a military honor guard from Fort Knox, Ky.
Hepfner joined the Army out of Hubbard High School and served in Kosovo, Iraq and Egypt. He earned his aviator's wings in 2002.
Joe Poppa, a helicopter pilot who attended flight school with Hepfner and served with him in the 6th Cavalry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division, told the crowd that his friend had loved flying and riding his motorcycle.
''Blane Hepfner did not settle for mediocrity. He was one of those people who relished a challenge,'' Poppa, a chief warrant officer, said.
Poppa said Hepfner, also a chief warrant officer, had a way to make anyone feel they were like family, and he said the military lost more than his skill as a pilot.
''His Army family will miss his unique way of making coffee that would keep us up for three days straight,'' Poppa quipped.
There were veterans of all branches of the service in the crowd as well as police officers from several local departments, including Hubbard, Hubbard Township, Youngstown, Howland, Liberty, Niles, Fowler, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office. The body was escorted from the Kelley-Robb Funeral Home to the cemetery by the Patriot Riders motorcycle group.
An Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter flew over the cemetery near the conclusion of the service, and Hepfner's mother, Renee, and his sister, Janelle, hugged each other and sobbed. His mother waved overhead at the helicopter.
Hepfner's daughter, Kathryn White, 5, attended the funeral, at one point running into the arms of a family member when the Army chaplain tried to talk to her before the service. Later she seemed in a better mood, laughing and talking to other family members before the service began.
Boyle said he could tell what kind of man Hepfner was just by talking to family and friends at the calling hours, who told him of a man who loved his family and his job, as well as riding his motorcycle. He said Hepfner's birthday was within five days of that of his oldest son, which Boyle said touched him deeply.
The two constants in talking with those who knew Hepfner is that there was no sense of regret and his laughter, Boyle said.
''That was the constant thing everyone mentioned - his humor,'' Boyle said.
Boyle also said Hepfner reached out to reconcile with a friend and family member while he was serving in Iraq after saying he heard from God that he needed to do so. Boyle said Hepfner followed the example of Jesus, who reached out to reconcile humanity with God and paid for it with his death on the cross. He said obeying God's call to reach out in that instance showed what kind of faith Hepfner had.
''He understood something about God's love and God's peace for one another,'' Boyle said.
Boyle also said God showed favor on the service, providing a breezy, dry day and clouds to block the sun and keep the mourners cool.
''The Lord has smiled on this gathering today,'' Boyle said. ''It's like he's putting His arms around us today.''
Some residents watched the procession as it wound its way up North Main Street to the cemetery. Loretta Haynie, whose son helped to escort the procession, brought her grandchildren, Hannah, 11, and Paige, 8, because she said it was a good way for them to realize the sacrifices others make.
''We thought it was important to pay tribute to our men who fought for us and gave their lives so we could be free,'' Haynie said.
A contingent from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3307 on Albert Street in Youngstown also was on hand. Craig Sergeant, a member of the post and a Vietnam veteran, said one of Hepfner's uncles who had served in Vietnam had asked them to be on the route of the procession.
''It's a good way to honor him,'' Sergeant said.
Taps was played, and an honor guard stacked its rifles over Hepfner's grave - a military tradition to honor the dead - after they fired a 21-gun salute. Flags were given to Hepfner's mother, sister, stepfather and brother.
Poppa told the crowd he feels fortunate to have known and served with Hepfner, but that Hepfner would want them - especially his comrades in uniform - to carry on.
''He would have it no other way,'' Poppa said. ''It's guys like Blane that make up the backbone (of the Army).''
Naming a place in a famous poem known to cavalrymen, Poppa said he will see Hepfner again.
''We will all meet up at Fiddler's Green, and I'll bring the stogies,'' Poppa said.
|
capitalistpig
|
|
|---|---|
|
06-10-09 9:50 PM
|
StratusOne, dictionary**** defines hero as "a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities." My guess is that you are one that is mesmarized by the incredible "courage" of the islamic terrorist that gives his life while killing innocent men women and children, but as the result of your idealogical idiocy are unable to see the true courage of an American Soldier that is willing to give his life to protect those same innocent civilians. Quite frankly, dispicable doesn't begin to appropriately define you or those of your ilk.
|
|
Outtatown
|
|
|
06-10-09 4:32 PM
|
"de mortuis nil nisi bonum dicendum est"
|
|
justagirl
|
|
|
06-10-09 3:38 PM
|
StratusOne, tonight when you go home to your family and hug them, I hope you think of U.S. Army pilot Stanley Blane Hepfner. Our armed services keep us protected in more ways then civilians could even begin to imagine. If you think we shouldn't be over there protecting, then you must think the Middle East is a safe plan to live....go live there.
|
|
StratusOne
|
|
|
06-10-09 2:02 PM
|
I think all of the above, need to take a look in the dictionary, to see what the word Hero, has for a meaning, and another thing, being in a third world country in the middle east, killing innocent women and children does not qualify as a Hero, to me or anyone else who has lost a loved one in the middle east. America has no*******buisness over there, and every body that comes home in a pine box or a body bag, can only blame the American people, for letting George Bush steal the white house from Al Gore. believe me if there was any way around it,they would have loved to steal it from Obama also, and last but not least ( cvengros) that comment, you left is pure sh#t.
|
|
fairness
|
|
|
06-10-09 12:59 PM
|
Pandora you need to get a life also. She had no problem with photo.
|
|
Pandora
|
|
|
06-10-09 11:56 AM
|
escaped, I agree. This was meant to be a private moment to honor a hero. No need for pictures.
|
|
pahootaman
|
|
|
06-10-09 11:28 AM
|
Glad to see the protestors stayed away from this one.
|
|
tickedoffmom
|
|
|
06-10-09 10:02 AM
|
Bless his heart!!! My sincere sympathy goes to his Family and Friends. He is one of America's Hero's.
|
|
fairness
|
|
|
06-10-09 9:54 AM
|
escaped, there is nothing wrong with the photo. Get a life. Our condolences to the the entire family and friends.
|
|
justagirl
|
|
|
06-10-09 9:51 AM
|
This picture of Janelle should not have been included in the story. How would you feel if someone posted a photo of you at one of your parents funeral? Having to remember that day and how she felt will be a forever affect her life. Now, thanks to the Trib wanting to make a buck, she'll forever be able to see how she looked at her borthers funeral. My heart goes out to the family. I very sorry for your loss. Your brother will forever be a hero to so many.
|
|
NEWS777
|
|
|
06-10-09 7:40 AM
|
Heartbreaking photo..such a sad story. You are so right..he is a hero. God bless the family.
|
|
escaped
|
|
|
06-10-09 7:29 AM
|
This photograph was unnecessary. Leave the family alone in their grief for God's sake...
|
|
smokey
|
|
|
06-10-09 3:12 AM
|
yes indeed he is a hero. my condolences to the family!!
|
