ROYSE CITY – The public is invited to attend a ceremony in Royse City tomorrow paying tribute to fallen area soldier and U.S. Army medic Spc. Jerod Osborne, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010.
Conducted over Armed Forces Day weekend by the 1st Annual Texas Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Motorcycle Ride, the ceremony is at 12:30 pm at the home of his parents, Sharon and Gary Grillett, 2029 S. FM 551 (I-30 Fate Exit).
Over 300 cycle riders from the Patriot Guard, other groups and patriotic, supportive citizens are expected.
The cycle riders will present a special plaque to his parents and pay tribute to Osborne, who graduated from Rockwall-Heath High School in 2008, and immediately joined the army and trained to become a medic.
He received the Bronze Star for saving the lives of several injured civilians in May, 2007. On July 5, when his unit was attacked, he was killed when his body shielded a lieutenant riding in the front of the vehicle, his family said. It was just three weeks before he was to have returned home.
The visit is just one of several visits the Tribute will make tomorrow visiting the homes of family members of area soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan and Iraq – beginning in Garland, and continuing on to Wylie, Royse City, Quinlan and Terrell, from where five residents were killed in action.
The exclusive (escorted) ride procession will meet, line-up and depart from Dallas Harley-Davidson, 1334 W. Centerville Rd. in Garland, beginning at 7 am.
If you would like to ride your own cycle or just drive your auto to the ceremonies, click here for more details.
By J.J. Smith