Funeral Services for Army Staff Sgt. Courtney Hollinsworth

[OnTheWheel 43]

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: September 18, 2007)

YONKERS - Police officers stood at attention and saluted as a coffin bearing the body of Army Staff Sgt. Courtney Hollinsworth was removed from the white hearse that had carried it home yesterday.

State, Westchester County and Yonkers police met the body of Hollinsworth, who was killed Sept. 9 in Iraq, at the George Washington Bridge on its way from Dover Air Force Base for today's wake and tomorrow's funeral service and burial.

Before the hearse pulled up at Whalen and Ball Funeral Home, Hollinsworth's parents said they were proud of their son and thankful for the public's support.

"The love and support we are getting from Yonkers and the county. From people we don't even know. A bus driver stopped his bus to say hello," said his stepfather, Antonio Coaxum. "We are sad, but it makes you feel prouder and prouder."

Following Hollinsworth's death, the family's home was visited by elected officials and flags throughout Yonkers flew at half-staff.

As she waited, his mother, Hope Hollinsworth Coaxum, said she was eager for her son to return home.

"He is coming home, but unfortunately I still have a very empty hole in my heart, but I am extremely proud of him," she said.

Coaxum, who helped raise Hollinsworth since he was 4, said his son was a hero. Hollinsworth enlisted in the Army at 17 after graduating from Saunders Trades and Technical High School. He served in Afghanistan in 2002, as part of the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and began a second tour in Iraq in February, shortly after he was married. The 26-year-old was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kan.

Hollinsworth's grandfather Silvesta Hollinsworth, who had served in the 101st U.S. Army Airborne Division from 1955 to 1958, joined the extended family as they waited outside the funeral home. There, they received periodic updates on the progress of Hollinsworth's final trip home to New York.

"It is something he wanted to do. He loved the military," the senior Hollinsworth said.

Among the other family members who waited for the soldier's return yesterday were his wife, Stephanie Errebo-Hollinsworth; his sister Nicole, who had just begun college in Delaware; his grandmother Audrey Hollinsworth; and an aunt and uncle, Joyce and Mark Corpas, who often took the young Hollinsworth with them on vacations. Joining the family was Maj. Darrin Clinton, who is based at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point.

Several staff members and patients at a medical office across the street stood outside the building waiting for the arrival of the hearse. A patient, Lucreshia Amory, watched sadly after she was coaxed outside by the sound of the police motorcycles in the residential neighborhood.

"It's upsetting. I think they should have been brought back home a long time ago. How many more parents are going to have to see their kids die before there's an end to the war," Amory said.

Though they emphasize that they support the troops, members of Hollinsworth's family have said they also oppose the war.

Later, Mark Corpas walked across the street to shake hands and thank each of the police officers for accompanying his nephew's body home to Yonkers.

Calling hours are from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home at 168 Park Ave. A funeral service is set for 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Community Baptist Church, with burial to follow in Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island.]Memorial contributions are requested by the family to the church, 156 N. Broadway., Yonkers, NY 10701.

There should be quite a few wheels there, if anyones hanging around your firehouse or wherever, might want to step outside if the procession passes and throw up a salute, it's the least we can do for him. Or better yet, come to the funeral services in uniform and build the numbers!

[RescueKujo 130]

Rest in Peace, Soldier. Your duty is done here on earth.

[ex-commish 490]

May he rest in peace.

God bless our armed forces....

[CPAGE 2]

Thank You for your service to protect us. Rest in Peace

God bless him and his family.

[DOC22 1]

May he rest in Peace and may God watch over his Family.

[MoFire390 118]

Rest In Peace Staff SGT. Hollinsworth

[OnTheWheel 43]

Just got back, very nice showing. Yonkers FD did an outstanding job hanging the flag over the roadway and had a great turnout. Nice escort, maybe about 25 bikes, they all went out to the cemetary but I had to get back. Even Yonkers DPW and Parks Dept had a showing! Great job by all, makes you proud!