ORWIGSBURG -- Capt. Jason Jones of Orwigsburg will be buried at West Point, where he graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, but first he made a final stop where he was born and raised in Schuylkill County.
Officials say about 1,500 people came out to pay their respects to Capt. Jones in Orwigsburg on Wednesday.
Only about 3,000 people live in the borough altogether, a big turnout for the soldier that people in Schuylkill County call a local hero.
An American flag waved high above Orwigsburg as hundreds waited to pay their respects and salute Capt. Jones after his death earlier this month in Afghanistan.
Capt. Jones, 29, died from enemy gunfire in Afghanistan on June 2.
It was his second overseas deployment
He will be laid to rest at West Point but he will be forever remembered by the 1,500 people who came out to say goodbye in Orwigsburg.
"I'm very impressed by this turnout, very impressed. I'm so glad the people of Orwigsburg have come out to honor one of their own," said Ruth Zellers, member of American Legion Auxiliary 369.
"Just a local hero that it breaks all our hearts that this happened to him," said Scott Lopez.
As Capt. Jones made his way through the borough, so did his father who spoke to the crowd, thanking them for their support as he and Capt. Jones' mother, wife, and sister mourn his loss.
"I just want these people to know that we will never, ever, ever forget them for the support they've offered us. We will never forget," said Jay Jones.
The family request contributions in Capt. Jones’ honor be sent to Wounded Warrior Project.
Contribution can also be sent to:
Animal Protection Society of Durham,
2117 E. Club Blvd.,
No. 101,
Durham, NC 27704.