UPDATE: The Lubbock man who was escorted by Lubbock first responders in a processional Thursday night has been identified.
Jordan Tyler Wilhite, 18, was a Private in the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina when he died.
His funeral will be held at 11 am on Saturday, March 4th at Kingdom Life Fellowship Church.
Thursday night Lubbock first responders gathered at Preston Smith International Airport to escort a fallen soldier.
Members of the Lubbock Police Department, Lubbock Fire Department, Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office and University Medical Center Emergency Medical Services participated in the transport across the county.
“That was an awesome sight last night to see that string of police cars, ambulances, fire trucks that was reaching nearly a mile down Marsha Sharp,” Chris Addington said. “That was impressive.”
Addington is a battalion chief for the Lubbock Fire Department but rode along with the Wolfforth Volunteer Fire Department last night.
He said they did not get much of a heads up but most everyone dropped what they were doing and made the tribute their priority.
“Lubbock [fire] supported the endeavor by placing firefighters along the route,” Addington said. “We had engines and trucks at most of the overpasses or underpasses if it were where the processional went under, out with the static display and a salute. And we had one unit along the Marsha Sharp that had their vehicle all lit up displaying an American flag.”
Addington said no one knew who the soldier was, where they had been or what had happened.
“Why do we do this?” the reporter asked.
“Honor,” Addington replied.
“Why is that important?”
“If you look at what the military has done for us and what they enable us to do everyday that’s the least we could do,” Addington concluded.
There is a strong relationship between first responders and members of the military. LFD reported between 30-40% of firefighters have military backgrounds.
“I don’t know that we can liken ourselves exactly to the military,” Addington said. “But there is a strong bond there. We are all about service, making sure the people back here are safe. They do it from a distance at times and we do it up close. I think all in all were all about taking care of the people and being there for service.”
Everythinglubbock.com has been in contact with military personnel but they are keeping details about the soldier private at this time.
Despite the anonymity, Addington had a message to share with the family.
“I’m sorry for their loss and I thank them for their service and their sacrifice because it’s just that,” Addington said. “I don’t know who they are but I know they were trying to do something for our country and that means they were doing something for me, and the least I can do is pay it back.”
