Hundreds of people traveled from across Southeastern North Carolina to line Market Street Friday wearing red and holding American flags to honor Sergeant T.J. Butler.
He died in a suicide bomber attack in Khost, Afghanistan on October first. Amanda Greene of Wilmington Faith and Values has this report.
The largest part of the human wall to show support for Butler and his family stretched along Market Street in front of Wilmington National Cemetery and in a half-moon shape in front of First Baptist Church on the corner of Fifth and Market.
Some came out in reaction against reports that the controversial Westboro Baptist Church group – which is known for picketing military funerals – were coming to Wilmington. The group did not apply to picket and were not seen along Market Street.
Heather Graff brought her three children from Greenville to stand in support. Her husband was serving two miles away from the place where Butler was killed.
“With my husband being in the Army, it’s important for me to have them see what’s going on and able to understand how to support the military and what happens, what the possibilities are and for them to be here with me to support the family in the time of their loss.”
