A grief that has gathered for nearly two weeks
– since U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeramy Ailes was killed
fighting in Iraq – is expected to draw hundreds of area residents
this weekend for the young man’s burial.
A grief that has gathered for nearly two weeks – since U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeramy Ailes was killed fighting in Iraq – is expected to draw hundreds of area residents this weekend for the young man’s burial.
Mourners are asked to honor the fallen Marine and his family on Sunday by lining the First Street approach to Gavilan Hills Memorial Park – the last steps to the soldier’s resting place.
Ailes, 22, died Nov. 15 during the final days of a campaign to flush out insurgents in Fallujah, Iraq. He was ambushed by an Iraqi pretending to be injured, according to his father Joel Ailes.
In addition to his father, the soldier is survived by his mother Lana and three sisters – Janay, 23, Jenny, 14, and Leah, 12.
In the days since Ailes’ death, the community has searched for ways to console the family and honor the young man. Students at Morgan Hill’s Barrett Elementary School, the workplace of Lana Ailes, sang “God Bless America” as visiting Marines hoisted a flag during an early-morning ceremony last week. Students at Gilroy High School, where Ailes graduated in 2001, are also planning a ceremony in his honor.
Both the American and city flags will fly at half-staff over City Hall this weekend in honor of Ailes.
Visitation for the soldier takes place from 1-9pm today. Funeral services begin at 3pm Sunday at Gilroy Presbyterian Church.
Following the services, a police escort will clear the streets for a funeral procession. Sheedy said the procession, which will head north on Santa Teresa Boulevard and then east on First Street to the cemetery, will last about 15 minutes. He expects the procession to begin about 4pm.
Residents who are not attending the funeral are asked to gather at the cemetery gates by 3:45pm. Boy Scouts, bearing flags typically used during Memorial and Veterans’ Day, will distribute small American flags to people along First Street.
Ailes will receive a Purple Heart and a full military burial.
