Ardmore honors fallen soldier

ARDMORE — The names — Printer B. Arnold, Francis A. Ballard, Joe S. Rawlins, Rodney C. Upchurch, Michael R. Robson — glisten in the sunshine on the black granite monument that commemorates Carter County's fallen veterans, dating to World War I.

One more name now will be chiseled into its smooth face: Spc. Micheal Phillips of Ardmore.

Phillips, 19, was given a hero's burial Tuesday before hundreds of mourners at the Ardmore cemetery. He died Feb. 24 near Baghdad when his Humvee was hit by an explosive device.

Phillips was a member of the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell, Ky.

On Tuesday, there was only the somber sound of "Taps,” and the distant rumble of a railroad train.

Dozens of shiny American flags flapped in the gentle breeze.

"The monument is getting close to being filled up, which should serve as a little bit of a wake-up call,” said Todd Larkin, an events coordinator with the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce. "We've got names from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam ... and now our new war.

"In a small town like Ardmore, it definitely hits home a lot more than it does in Los Angeles or Dallas or even Oklahoma City.”

Larkin, 25, didn't know Phillips, but he didn't have to. He has walked in his footsteps.

In 2006, Larkin served a 12-month tour of duty in Afghanistan with the 180th Oklahoma National Guard out of Durant.

"It's tough to be away from family and friends for so long,” Larkin said. "Just that aspect alone is hard. Then you throw in an atmosphere of war ...

"You know, Oklahoma is a hospitable place. I remember when I returned home people were shaking my hand all the time and telling me, ‘Thanks.' I would just say to honor these guys by showing your appreciation. Hang an American flag out or wear one on your lapel.”

Residents lined Ardmore's streets in droves Sunday night as Phillips' body was being escorted from the airport.

"Both of my sisters were at the mall when they got word his body had entered town,” said Donna Stinson, who works at a downtown furniture store. "They dropped everything and ran to the street just so they could pay their respects.”

"It's just heartbreaking,” said Stinson, a life-long Ardmore resident. "He's just a young man; just a child ... The war is so far away, but this makes it real. Just knowing he was from Ardmore and that he's one of our neighbors.

"All of us are real proud of him.”

Flags flew at half-staff throughout the community in honor of Phillips, a 2006 Ardmore High School graduate.

He was a young man who loved history, running and art, and had been offered admission to the San Francisco Art Institute.

Phillips bypassed art school for a higher calling.

He joined the United States Army and was assigned to the 101st Airborne.

"He was a hero,” Phillips' mother, Angelia, , told The Oklahoman last week.

"What I've heard from his squad is that he was an excellent soldier who was always trying to improve himself, and was always willing to go the extra mile. He's more of a man that most will be,” his mother said.

Now he will forever be a hero in the eyes of many.

"Your heart just goes out to the family,” said Donna Hunt, a local jeweler.

"By all accounts, this was just a wonderful young man who gave everything so we can live free back here at home. We are proud.”