Oak Ridge firefighters salute as Oak Ridge police and other law enforcement officers escort the body of U.S. Army soldier Christopher Michael Ward, 24, to Weatherford Mortuary. Ward died in southern Afghanistan on April 6. (Photo by Tom Scott)
Oak Ridge Police Department motorcycles and police cars helped escort the body of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Michael Ward, 24, from McGhee Tyson airport to Oak Ridge on Friday morning.
Ward, who was killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on April 6, was taken to Weatherford Mortuary, where a receiving of friends starts at 10 a.m. Saturday before a 12 p.m. celebration of life.
Oak Ridge police had units stationed at intersections as Ward’s body was escorted through the city. Oak Ridge firefighters saluted as the hearse passed by Oak Ridge Turnpike and Illinois Avenue at about 10:30 a.m.
Ward was one of three soldiers who died in the suicide car bombing last week while helping to deliver textbooks to children at a new school in Afghanistan. Also killed were a U.S. diplomat and a U.S. Department of Defense civilian.
Ward was born in Arcadia, Fla., and he attended Oak Ridge High School during his junior year before enlisting in the Army at 17. He had served in Iraq twice, and this was his first tour in Afghanistan.
His mother, Joyce Ward, lives in Oak Ridge.
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