Students show respect for fallen local soldier

This morning, the funeral procession for SPC Jesse W. Dietrich (a former MISD student) took place along Hwy 1187, Main St., and Broad Street in its way to First Baptist Mansfield Church. According to a release, 20-year-old US Army 10th Mountain SPC Jesse W. Dietrich was killed in action on August 25, 2011 in Kandahar province, during a battle with enemy forces who attacked his unit using small arms fire.

Jesse Dietrich attended Tarver-Rendon Elementary, Donna Shepard Intermediate, Rogene Worley Middle, and attended Summit High School.

Schools along the route took some time out of the morning to send students outside out of respect for the fallen soldier and his family.

Sheppard Elementary, Shepard Intermediate, and Erma Nash Elementary brought students outside anticipating the funeral procession.

Sheppard Elementary

Nash Elementary

At Legacy High School, the Bronco Battalion JROTC cadets showed their respects with an Honor Guard while almost the entire student body lined the school's front sidewalk.

Legacy High School

“As a parent, I feel for any family that loses a loved one. As an American, I have tremendous gratitude for those who have chosen to put their life on the line to defend the principles of this country,” Principal David Wright said. “As a principal, I have a great pride in seeing our students and staff recognize that “it is not about me, it is about others.” (Quoted from The Rider Online.)

Central Admin staff as well as Maintenance and Facilities staff came out in front of their respective complexes as the procession rolled by.

This community should be proud of these students and they way they all showed the proper respect for this fallen local soldier. Many others from local businesses, the City of Mansfield and community members also lined the route to honor Dietrich and his family.
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Jesse Dietrich served with the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, based at Fort Drum, New York. He joined the Army in March 2009 and arrived at Fort Drum in July 2010 to join the 10th Mountain Division.

His awards and decorations include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.