Editor's Note: The blog below was first published in July of 2014, shortly after the death of Private First Class Garrett Parker, a Bridgeport High School graduate who went on to serve his country through the U.S. Army. Since then, Parker's mother Christa implemented the Wreaths Across America program here in Bridgeport. It has become her passion that the gravesite of each and every U.S. military member be decorated with a wreath during the holiday season. In its first year at Bridgeport Cemetery, the program yielded 1,100 wreaths, thanks to efforts of Christa Parker and other Team Bridgeport volunteers. It's now time to order wreaths for the 2017 Wreaths Across America ceremony which will be held Dec. 16. With today being Veterans Day, it seemed an ideal time to remind residents why the program started here in our city. This year's goal is 1,575 wreaths, about 300 of which have been ordered. Deadline for ordering is Nov. 27. Wreaths can be purchased and tagged for delivery at Bridgeport Cemetery by clicking HERE. Those who participated last year are asked to do so again this year and new supporters are encouraged to get on board. Wreath purchases do not carry over year to year. They have to be purchased every year. 

 

(Read more about the Dec. 16 ceremony and the local Wreaths Across America program HERE.)

 

Original blog post written July 20, 2014:

 

Several weeks ago, I was privileged to be among locals who attended the funeral service for 21-year-old Garrett Parker, who died tragically in an out-of-state motorcycle accident.

 

I watched as individuals filed into Simpson Creek Baptist Church to pay their respects to the 2011 Bridgeport High School graduate and athlete, who went on to enlist in the U.S. Army and served on active duty as a member of the A Company, 1/15th Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Ga.

 

Families, groups of friends and Garrett's fellow former Indians – football players and track team members alike – sat together, forming little groups of support. Several who had played Tribe football together wore their team jerseys.

 

Just before Pastor Mike Hopkins got up to speak, the sanctuary became very quiet. And as he always does, Pastor Mike offered consoling words to those who gathered. Coaches Josh Nicewarner and Jon Griffith shared their memories of Garrett – how he was tough as nails, versatile and a very coachable kid.

 

Nicewarner told a story about a preseason training. It was scorching hot and the guys were, of course, being worked very hard. Most players were sucking air and dripping with sweat - but not Garrett, the coach said. His skill, physical toughness and stamina followed him beyond his high school athletic performance and into the armed forces where he was awarded the Army Physical Fitness Training Medal, the Infantry Cord and the Expert Shooter Medal.

 

A couple of his fellow soldiers spoke at the service, too. Their respect and admiration for Garrett was evident, from their testimonies of his dedication and kindness to the occasional crack in their voices. Throughout the church sanctuary that morning, there was an essence of peace and unity as a young man was remembered and paid tribute – one important to different groups of individuals, but for the very same reasons.

 

It was decided just days after Garrett's May 30 death that there would be a college scholarship fund established in his honor. And in addition to private donations made to that fund, some preliminary fundraising has already occurred.

 

My main link to the Parker family is through Garrett’s sister Jenn – who over the past couple of years has essentially become part of our family. She is my nephew BR Hathaway’s girlfriend and has been welcomed into that role with open arms by siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

 

The Hathaways – being major BHS sports enthusiasts – have a lot of traditions. Included is the annual “Hathaway Open” golf tournament, which coincides with BR’s July birthday. As you might guess, it’s not really about the golf, but rather about the gathering of friends and family. But this year, there was a new spin on occasion. The golf game included a side of fundraisers – a 50/50 drawing and mulligan sale, included – and partial funds benefited the Garret Parker Memorial Scholarship Fund.

 

We hear it from lifelong residents, newcomers and visitors alike: Bridgeport is a community which cultivates athletic pride, but likely the only quality that surpasses that is unity. The Parker family - parents Chris and Christa and siblings Jenn, Jacob and Michael - said they felt that unity during their time of need and that they continue to do so.