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Loganville Turns Out to Honor Maj. Walter David Gray

People lined the streets of Loganville Tuesday to show respect for fallen hero Maj. Walter David Gray as his family came through town for his memorial service. The 1992 graduate of Loganville High School was KIA on Aug. 8.

Flags waved and tears flowed as people lined the streets of Loganville Tuesday to show respect for the family of fallen hero Maj. Walter David Gray. The airman, killed in action in Afghanistan on Aug. 8, 2012, will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 24. He had a formal funeral in Colorado last week and his family traveled to Loganville Tuesday for a memorial service at Loganville First Baptist Church. Gray, 38, grew up in Loganville, graduating from Loganville High School in 1992.

Gray's family was escorted through town by members of the and Patriot Guard and American Legion Riders to the Memorial Service site off Tom Brewer Road. This is not the first time Loganville has offered an outpouring of support for it's military families. In August 2005, residents lined the streets from Snellville, through Loganville, to the Youth burial site of 23-year-old Army Sgt. Mike Stokely. Most recently, in December the community turned out to greet returning wounded warrior Sgt. Mark Allen. In the crowd Tuesday, Allen's wife, Shannon, stood with the community to show her support for Gray's family.

An active duty member, who asked not to be named, joined the crowds lining Highway 78. He did it, he said, to show respect.

"That could be me coming down this street," he said. "It could be any of us."

Grays leaves behind a wife, Heather, and three children. The LHS Class of 1992 is in the process of setting up three trust funds, one for each of Gray's three children.

crej August 22, 2012 at 11:12 am
musimann, how dare you leave a coment as such and sully the name and memory of this fallen hero!
If you were half as smart as you wish to sound, you'd know that the definition of hero is "someone who fights for a cause" and "a being of great strength and courage celebrated for bold exploits" and "a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength." not someone who runs, hides, stands and fights for that which he believes to be real, just and worthy. That cause, that strength, that courage and nobility is exemplified in those who serve in the military, fire departments, police departments, sheriff departments and other local and national law enforcement branches. And by definition, service is "work done by one person or group that benefits another." Whether or not you agree with the defined work or the prescribed benefits or recipients doesn't matter. Especially not in this situation. Political agendas or dogmas are not welcomed when this is merely about a family and a community morning the loss of a father, son, husband and friend. One that happens to be a hero by any others' definition. Go somewhere else and spew your crap!!!!
ED CARR August 22, 2012 at 12:04 pm
This comment from musimann should be REMOVED
Madolyn Cole August 22, 2012 at 12:05 pm
musimann your an idiot! you will notice that I post that using my "real" name so you are clear who it is that thinks your an idiot! have a nice day!
Madolyn Cole August 22, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Very well said! Thank you!!
John August 22, 2012 at 12:09 pm
You are a true idiot!
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) August 22, 2012 at 12:18 pm
It is heroes like like Maj. Walter David Gray who remind us what makes this country great. I didn't know him, but I do know that the creed of the military is to defend the country and its principles. Those principles include someone's right to free speech. It doesn't say that speech needs to tasteful, doesn't need to be ignorant or anything else - just the freedom to express it. Sometimes in upholding those principles we are able to draw clear distinctions about the people who die to defend those rights. Rest in Peace Maj. Walter David Gray. It was my privilege to attend the procession honoring the sacrifice of you and your family. You lived and died a true American hero.
Rebecca August 22, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Please remove musimann's comment before one of the family members sees it. It's because of men like Major Gray that your stupidity is protected. Shame on you for saying things like that when his family is grieving.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) August 22, 2012 at 12:48 pm
I was reminded that free speech is really only the right not to be persecuted by the government for expressing it - at that is indeed right. At Patch, we have the right to decide what content is acceptable by our standards. In the spirit in which this story was written, which was to honor a fallen hero, we have chosen to remove the comment. Musimann, and anyone else who feels how he does, is free to express the sentiment anywhere, we just don't believe a story on Patch honoring a fallen airman is the appropriate place. Steve, I hope that helps explain why some comments are left and others not in other locations.
ED CARR August 22, 2012 at 01:05 pm
Thank you
Csulli August 22, 2012 at 01:30 pm
It was an honor to ride with the Patriot Guard yesterday to show respect and honor to Major W. David Gray. Thank you for your service and RIP.
spongebobby August 22, 2012 at 02:30 pm
It was an honor and made me proud to stand in a group of diverse people that I did not know, but knew they were drawn out of respect to support the family of a fallen hero whom were traveling to a memorial service in this airman's hometown. To my knowledge, none of our group personally knew Ma.j David Gray or his family. However, 40 some people in this group, ranging from infants to seniors, were all touched by the procession, in awe of a serviceman that had given his life for the freedoms none of us will ever be able to earn on our own. I was also taken by the young man in our group whom spontaneously asked us to join in a prayer circle to give thanks for the sacrifice this man had made and for God to bring comfort to the family friends and comrades that he has left behind until we all join him in a much better place.
Kim Roberto August 22, 2012 at 07:13 pm
I, too, was priveledged to be a part of yesterday's ceremony on 78 standing in front of the American Legion holding one of the huge flags. It was amazing to see how everyone became absolultely silent as the procession began. Many flags were flying, and the people were very respectful. Thank you to Major David Gray who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. RIP.
Sid Kelly August 23, 2012 at 01:59 am
As HERO ESCORT vehicle for tha Patriot Guard ( white Challenger) I wish to extend my gratitude to the citizens of Loganville for your display of Patriotism, Love and Respect for a true AMERICAN HERO. Thank you, especially, to those of you who brought your young kids for this powerful life lesson-Freedom is NOT free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 09:16 am
David, it's still there we are just in the process of working out the bug on uploading photos toRead More articles that we authored (ugh!). I just didn't want to promote it and have people try and upload photos unsuccessfully. Depending on how long it takes to address this issue, I may keep June open through part of July - I hope not. If you have any photos you want to add, email them to me and I will upload them for you in the meantime.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 09:19 am
That is the strawberry fields. I have a picture of the strawberry fields between the welcome toRead More Loganville and welcome to Grayson signs that I will get up soon.
EMILY GOLDSTEIN June 18, 2013 at 09:49 pm
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Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 06:11 pm
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TheSkalawag June 19, 2013 at 08:10 am
I wonder. Will Patch restore the reply button and add a responded to your comment notification?
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 09:21 am
Please keep these comments coming. We are forwarding all these issues to our production team. TheRead More ones that are most pressing are more likely to be addressed first. Once we have the initial roll out completed and working well, the tweaking will begin.
TheSkalawag June 18, 2013 at 08:29 pm
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Dave June 19, 2013 at 03:12 pm
I have it on good authority that the revolution will begin in October. Stay tuned.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 03:05 pm
Tom, I will see if I can find the connection.
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Good Grief Y'all June 19, 2013 at 09:49 am
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Dave June 19, 2013 at 03:18 pm
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Tr - the perfect diet - the Mediterranean diet has a lot of fish in it. Olive oils etc... OurRead More American diet has a lot of animal fat in it and look at us as opposed to other nations! Fish oil is brain food. A multi is good, but we should ask our pediatricians about adding fish oil to our kids' diets. We should get our (good) fats through diet. Good fats help vitamins go where they are supposed to and do what they're supposed to do.
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R June 14, 2013 at 02:06 am
You mean the FEES don't you? Cause they aint taxes don't you know...
Bonnie June 14, 2013 at 11:50 am
I call it a "rainbow!"
M.K. Osborne June 14, 2013 at 03:30 pm
Fees is when its lightning too .
Mr. B June 13, 2013 at 01:29 pm
They're not Americans. They don't deserve to step foot on American soil.
Good Grief Y'all June 13, 2013 at 01:34 pm
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