Marine who died in Afghanistan is laid to rest

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Vickie Hays shares a hug on Saturday, during the funeral for her son, United States Marine Sgt. Justin Hansen, at Kingsley High School. Record-Eagle/Keith King
Flags blow in the wind prior to the start of the funeral for United States Marine Sgt. Justin Hansen on Saturday, as attendees wait to enter the gymnasium of Kingsley High School. Record-Eagle/Keith King
Marine Corps Sgt. Justin Hansen who was killed in Afghanistan on July 24.

August 5, 2012

Marine who died in Afghanistan is laid to rest

BY ART BUKOWSKI abukowski@record-eagle.com The Record Eagle Mon Aug 06, 2012, 04:25 PM EDT

KINGSLEY — Justin Hansen's parents stood beside their son's casket in Kingsley High School's sweltering gym as a slideshow of Hansen's life played nearby.

Rick Hansen and Vickie Hays stood as hundreds — perhaps a thousand — people gathered at the school to pay respects to the Kingsley native and U.S. Marine killed July 24 in Afghanistan. They embraced or shook hands with almost every person in a line of mourners that stretched outside the gym, down a long hallway and hundreds of feet outside the school.

The show of support would have been humbling for Hansen, friends and family members said. To those who came, it simply was the right thing to do.

"He's one of our own," said Carl Lake, Rick Hansen's neighbor and friend. "He lived right here in northern Michigan. This is how we do it."

A funeral for Hansen, a 2003 Kingsley graduate, was held in the gym after a lengthy visitation. After the service, a large procession traveled to Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens off Veterans Drive in Garfield Township for burial.

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders and other groups lined the school's walkways with American flags that snapped in a hot breeze, and the procession passed beneath a gigantic flag suspended from a crane near the school.

Hays voiced awe at the mass of people who showed up to honor her son.

"It's incredible. I had no idea the number of people he touched," she said. "He would be very grateful."

Those in attendance knew Hansen or his family in varying degrees, or didn't know them at all. Many believed they were obligated to be a source of strength for Hansen's family by attending the funeral.

"It's a small thing we can do to support the family and make a statement that we appreciate the sacrifice they made for us," said family friend Eileen Schweickert, who came to Kingsley from Traverse City.

Kingsley residents made a strong showing. Members of the school's football team showed up in uniform, and students past and present packed into the gym. Amber Atwood, a Kingsley resident and friend of Hansen's sister, was glad to see her neighbors send a strong, supportive message.

"I'm proud to be from Kingsley," she said. "I'm proud to be from this community."

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders, Northern Chapter Harley Owners Group and other outfits stood outside the school for hours in the hot sun holding flags. The 90-plus degree heat wasn't going to stop them.

"It's very simple: He gave his life for our country, and we're showing our respect," said John Lefler, a Patriot Guard ride captain from Traverse City. "This is what he deserves."

Tim Wooer, who coached Hansen in football at Kingsley High School, was among those who eulogized him.

Hansen "bled orange and black," he said, and exuded positive character traits.

"Plain and simple, he was a winner ... He won in the classroom, he won on the field. He wanted to be the best of the best," Wooer said. "I think of a guy who was competitive, had an incredible work ethic, and was a loyal friend and family member.

"Every time he came home he must have had a checklist of about 80 people he had to see, and I'll guarantee you he saw everybody," he said.

Wooer said Hansen lived to support his team, in whatever form that team took.

"His dad said he was the ultimate teammate, and he took one for the team," Wooer said. "His team was everybody in the United States of America."

And Hansen was a coach's dream, Wooer said.

"Justin was easy to coach and teach, he was fun," he said. "If I had 22 Justin Hansens every year, you'd see a heck of a lot more banners up in this gym."