Staff Sgt. Gregory Copes died in Afghanistan on Aug. 17.
On Friday, a procession that included his family, a veterans’ group, and local law enforcement and fire departments, accompanied his body from Lynchburg Regional Airport to Finch & Finch Funeral and Cremation Service in Altavista.
Along the way, on U.S. 29 and on the streets in Altavista, crowds of people from the community gathered to wave and salute as the procession passed.
The death of Copes, a 36-year-old Marine who grew up in Lynch Station, touched the community. Last week and this week, community leaders and community members spoke about their responses to Copes’ death.
Rep. Robert Hurt
Rep. Robert Hurt, who represents the 5th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, made the following statement: “The tragic news of Staff Sgt. Copes’ death serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices that our brave men and women in uniform make each and every day to preserve our freedoms here at home. Staff Sgt. Copes served our country valiantly, and I am grateful for Staff Sgt. Copes and all of our 5th District soldiers and veterans who sacrifice so selflessly in the name of freedom. My thoughts and prayers are with Staff Sgt. Copes’ family during this trying time.”
Del. Matt Fariss
Del. Matt Fariss, representative of the 59th District in the Virginia House of Delegates, said, “There are no words sufficient to convey the feeling of sympathy and sadness I have for the loss of this young man and for his family. Why was he there? Because he believed that what he was doing was important. He was patriotic and he was dedicated to the service of his country. He put himself in harm’s way and paid the ultimate price so that you and I and our families can continue to enjoy living in a free society where millions from all over the world try to immigrate to every year. God bless and keep the Copes family in this most difficult time.”
Mayor J.R. (Rudy)
Burgess
Altavista Mayor J.R. (Rudy) Burgess said, “It’s a real tragedy for the community and the family. I hope that people will get behind the family and support them.”
He said Altavista appreciates what Copes did for his country.
Copes’ death brings war and conflict closer to home, he said.
“It makes it more real,” he said.
Supervisor Stan
Goldsmith
Altavista District Supervisor and Chairman of the Campbell County Board of Supervisors Stan Goldsmith said he was praying for Copes’ family.
“We just pray God will be merciful and bring healing to the family,” he said.
Goldsmith said he had a grandson who had just returned from Afghanistan, and hearing about the death of a soldier from the community “brings us a little closer to reality,” he said of the ongoing situation.
He was grateful to Copes’ family, too, and the support Copes would have had from them.
County Administrator David Laurrell
Campbell County Administrator David Laurrell said, “The sacrifice of those who are killed in service to our country and communities is of the highest order. They are, in fact, a relatively small group of people who are willing to do what they do in order to protect the freedom and safety that we all enjoy. There is no higher personal calling, and without them we would not be what we are. There is a certain awareness that servicemen like Staff Sgt. Copes are constantly in harm’s way, but the reality of that risk is no easier to comprehend than any other. I think a loss like this in a smaller community is felt all that more vividly, often because of the values we have and the fact that he was known by so many people in the community. It touches people in different ways – but it touches everyone. My heart, my thoughts and my prayers are with Staff Sgt. Copes’ family and friends.”
Lewis Frazier
Lewis Frazier, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4165, was part of the procession that escorted the body of Copes from the airport to the funeral home on Friday.
He said it was moving to see people lining up on U.S. 29 and the streets of Altavista, waving flags and saluting as the procession went by.
In front of Altavista Combined School, students lined up on both sides of the street.
“My throat filled up and my eyes, too. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Frazier said.
He said he had never seen the community turn out like that before.
Frazier said he spoke with Copes’ family at the airport before the body arrived.
He said he told them how sorry he was for their misfortune.
Frazier said thinking about the loss of Copes made him think about his time in service.
“I was blessed that I didn’t get injured or wounded or anything like that. I just feel so sorry for the families that are in one of these what seems to be endless situations.”
Sheriff Steve Hutcherson
Campbell County Sheriff Steve Hutcherson said there wasn’t a much more noble cause than serving one’s country in the military, and Copes had been a person who was willing to put his life on the line.
“Freedom is not free,” he said.
He said he was praying for the family, and he could only imagine what they were going through.
He said he was glad there were “people who were still willing to step up and serve.”
He added that words were not enough to express what people felt at a time like this.
Brig. Gen. Doyle D. Broome
Brig. Gen. Doyle D. Broome Jr. (U.S. Army, ret.), president of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, also gave a statement: “The Copes family has suffered a terrible loss. Words cannot fully express the deep condolences of the Hargrave Military Academy family, and our thoughts and prayers go out to them during this terrible time. Staff Sgt. Copes was a great cadet here at Hargrave, and was an outstanding Marine. In the aftermath of 9/11, he chose to commit himself to something larger than himself—the defense of America. Hargrave is better for him having attended, and this country is better for him having served.”
Steve Jester
Steve Jester, executive director of the Altavista Area YMCA, said in a small town, especially, there was a lot more sense of community when something like Copes’ death occurred.
He and his wife saw the family during Sunday’s visitation at the funeral home, even though they didn’t know Copes, but just because they wanted to thank him “for that kind of service,” he said. They wanted to show their gratitude and honor Copes.
Jester said they were also appreciative of Copes’ family, one where service to others was so important.
Other community
members
Several people who joined the crowd on Altavista’s streets as the procession made its way to Finch & Finch Friday spoke about why they came out to show their support.
“Freedom isn’t free. His life exemplified that. I want to thank the family,” said Dorothy Shelton, who lives in Altavista.
“Greg was a great guy. He was a hero. Anyone who serves in the military and fights for our country is,” said Lee Neal, also of Altavista.
Dennis Janiak, commander of Chapter 1607 of The Military Order of the Purple Heart, said, “We have known the Copes family for a number of years. We will be here for them. We are here to support our troops and the Copes family.”
“It’s a very sad day. We appreciate all that have served,” said Hurt’s Janet Neal.
And Chink Thomas, also of Altavista, said, “It’s such a great family. You can tell by the response of the community.”