Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
ELK RIDGE — A Utah County soldier killed in war earlier this month was laid to rest Saturday in a the Salem City Cemetery.
Jim Towse, Cody's father, said Saturday would be the worst day of his life. He is burying his son, one of the latest victim's in America's war on terror in Afghanistan. Cody, an Army medic, and three other soldiers died in May when a bomb exploded in Afghanistan. He was 21 years old.
During his funeral, Cody was remembered as a fun-loving, sarcastic guy who was always ready to help anyone in need, but nervous about going on dates.
"So when he was leaving, he told his roomates, 'hopefully I don't get stood up again. She'll either be there, or I'll just be back with some pizza,' " family friend Todd Phillips recalled of Cody's attitude.
That Cody died helping fellow soldiers did not surprise those who worked with him as a volunteer at the Elk Ridge Fire Department.
"I've seen him in action," said Shawn Loree, of the Elk Ridge Fire Department. "I've come across calls where he took the fire truck out all by himself, run fire investigation calls, and I'd pull up and go, 'what are you doing?' and he'd go, well, I'm here to check out the call.' "
Helicopters flew over the Salem cemetery Saturday, in tribute to the Army medic.
"I'm sure he thinks it's all cool. He loved to be the center of attention," his father said.
After Cody's body arrived in Utah, his body rested in a casket inside the family living room on Friday, where every 15 minutes, a change of guard ceremony took place so his body was always watched over.
On Friday, a military general from Fort Bliss, Texas, visited his family's home in Elk Ridge to give Towse's parents his military medals: the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and an Army good conduct medal.
"I'd rather have my son," he said. "But I'm pretty proud. He sacrificed everything."
Cody's remains returned home to Utah on Wednesday. Thousands of people — and American flags — lined the procession route from the Provo airport to the family's home in Elk Ridge.
Other soldiers showed up, as well, to make sure Towse was with his military brothers. The funeral was streamed on ksl.com so that his fellow soldiers could watch.
"Definitely around here, they're not forgotten," Jim Towse said.
The Towses are happy they're not going through this alone.
"I can't imagine what it would be like to go through this without this kind of support, bringing their son home," Jim Towse said.
