Marine Lance Cpl. Cody Stanley, 21,was killed Oct. 28 when an improvised explosive device exploded near him in Afghanistan.
On the morning after an Islamic jihadist killed 13 people on Ft. Hood, I rode with nearly 80 other Patriot Guard Riders to Smithville, TX to help this small town bury their son.
To say that hearts were heavy and the mood somber wouldn’t even begin to describe how we were feeling — even the weather was heavy, with nearly shut-out fog draping over our morning ride and church staging at the First Baptist Church in Smithville.
The fog was still heavy when the Marine Corps Honor Guard arrived with Cody Stanley's casket.
The Marine Corps Honor Guard prepares to move Cody's casket into the church
Rendering their salute before moving the casket into the church
Cody arrived in the hearse...but it would not be needed for the procession from the church to the cemetery
Typical Small Town Country Boy
The First Baptist Church was overflowing with people, so much so that they had to set up a projection screen to feed the service into the community building across the street, which was also filled to capacity.
I managed to squeeze into the back of the room, where I stood with several others who couldn’t find chairs.
I listened while Cody’s mother, Wendi Stanley, spoke about her son.
Cody was a typical small town, rural Texas boy. He loved, beyond all things, his pick up truck. He loved to hunt and fish with his high school buddies, with whom he spent summers baling and stacking hay for extra money. He played sports and was active in the FFA. According to his mom, he was the kind of kid who could (and did) drive the wheels off of a Mule.
And since early in his Senior year at Smithville High School, all he wanted to do was join the Marine Corps.
Despite repeated objections from his mom and dad.
But his mother didn’t want to be one of those mom’s who held her children back from doing what they really wanted to do. So they “supported him 150% in his decision.”
Final Journey
After the hearse was unloaded it was moved, and Cody’s beloved pick up truck was pulled up in front of the church.
The Marines bring Cody's casket out of the church...
Fitting that Cody’s final ride to his final resting place would be in his own beloved pick up truck:
Cody loaded into his pick up truck
Cody’s funeral procession was one of the most remarkable I’ve ever seen — in addition to the 80-something riders in the PGR, there was a line of cars that stretched behind me for what looked like miles. And the town’s people of Smithville? What a moving tribute and show of respect to Cody. Nearly the entire town lined the streets with flags and signs of appreciation.
Passing Smithville High School, where Cody graduated in 2006, was especially emotional, as the entire student body and teachers were all standing in front of the school with their hands over their hearts watching as their former classmate rolled past.
But the tribute didn’t end in Smithville. Cody’s funeral procession from Smithville to the small cemetery just outside of Lockhart (close to the town of McMahan, TX) wound through 35-miles of rolling Texas ranch land. We passed through his parent’s hometown of Rosanky, which was lined with large American flags all the way through town.
The people of String Prairie and McMahan were also standing ready to show their respect. And in between each little town, at the end of each remote farm or ranch driveway was a pickup truck or a tractor with American flags flying and old Cowboys with their hats over their hearts.
Fitting that this country boy was buried in the small cemetery so far out in the country.
Our route from Smithville to his final resting place took us through remote Texas ranch land. The kind of roads where neighbors measure the distance between their “next door neighbor” in half-mile increments. We took one Farm-to-Market road after another, each turn led us onto an even narrower disrepaired road than the one we just pulled off of. By the time we passed through the town of McMahan, if we had made one more turn, we would have ended up on dirt road.
Final Resting Place
Cody was laid to rest beneath the branches of a giant Live Oak tree. Hundreds of cars spilled out hundreds of mourners, to include more than 40 active duty military personnel.
The Marine Corps Rifle Team takes up their position
Cody's final ride in his truck
Marine Corps Honor Guard waiting while the long procession of mourners arrive
Using Cody's pick up truck as the hearse was exactly the right thing to do to honor this Marine
thanks for making the time to honor this fallen Marine.
Absolutely gorgeous pictures and a very heartfelt and well-written post to honor one of our heroes.
The fog was very fitting to the ambiance of the funeral, but I am glad that it lifted by the time he was laid to rest. It is almost like the countryside that he grew up in and loved was welcoming him back home with golden beams of sunlight, warmly embracing him.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Lance Corporal Cody Stanley. Rest in peace. Prayers and blessings to your family, your friends, and your fellow troops.
he was my cousin and it was great to at least know him
God Bless Cody, his family and friends.
The respect he received was well deserved.
Thanks Cody…and thanks Robbie for sharing.
How very touching.
Rest in Peace Cody.
Thanks Robbie.
Robbie, perhaps Smithville redeemed itself after the last hometown boy we laid to rest. Perhaps my complaints and shame of Smithville paid off for Cody.
Yes, it was fitting he was taken by his pickup. There is not much that gets between a Texas young man and his pickup.
As a town, we have giving our fair share in this war against pure evil. And even now, the left is struggling to find excuses, any excuse really, for the shooters actions at Fort Hood. The opinion seems to be that if we just ignore the evil that has permiated our society with political correct platitudes, it will go away or cease to exist.
My God, how much American blood has to be spilled before we take off the gloves and fight this evil known as Islam?
I would just like to say…I didnt know this young man, but I will remember him, as i do the millions of others that have passed away for the fighting for our country. Any man or woman in any military branch should be recognized for his or her patriotism…may god bless!
Ms. Stanley
Our prayers and heart goes out to you and your family for the loss of your child. My mother was born in Rosanky, and coming from a small town we feel as if you and your family are a member of the Epps family. May God bless and keep you!
Cody, you were my good friend,close cousin, and most of all my brother. I will miss the hell out of you and that smile and laugh of yours. Rest In Peace Cody, No regrets just revenge. SEMPER FIDELIS
cody, you were an amazing person. n i still cant believe this. it feels like a bad dream. it does. i keep thinkin that ill talk to you again but i know i wont. i dont want to grasp that but i have to. its liek a bad dream. i told you that you were the only person to actually make me give a damn about things and i still stand by that. i always looked forward to your emails because you always put a smile on my face, and now that i havent had any from you it doesnt feel right. i never expected this to happen and i miss talkin to you. i was goin through old text from you also, couldnt pull myself to delete them. you were an amazing person and you’ll forever be in my heart. and just because your gone, doesnt mean you were a hero. you are still a hero in my eyes. rip cody. i miss you
*if anyone has anything to say bout my post email me on my myspace because im not on this stuff much*
As one of Cody’s loving family thank you for this tribute to our loved one. It was beautifully told
I did not know Cody but to those who did it was a true honor. A young boy with so much pride and love for his country, and fellow man, that he would give his life so that other could live theirs freely. My thank-you’s will never be enough to say how truly greatful I am for and to a wonderful man like Cody Stanley, who enables my children to live without fear. Bless you and God’s speed.
I did not personally know this young man. I do know his cousins. This was a fitting tribute to a great person who fought so that I could write this email and share the tears with his family. As I sit here at my desk this am, looking at the photos, I am filled with pride that a small town can honor a soldier so well. Rest in peace Cody….enjoy the sunshine.
I only met you a few times here in College Station Cody, but I wanted to thank you for all you have done and all you have given. Rest in peace LCpl Stanley. You are not forgotten.
I truly believe Cody is now 3/4’s guardian angel.
I miss you so much man, it was the biggest honer of my life to serve as your gunner, i saw what you did that day and your much more then a hero brother. Thank you for everything you showed me and i know your watching over all of us out here, i love you Stanley.. No Regrets Just Revenge CAAT 2 BLK Section
I read this with very mixed emotions. My heart hurts for the void that I know is left for this family and community. I’m a mom an Army infantry soldier. They may not be in the same branch, but they all these young men and women are heroes as they serve. Cody gave the ultimate.
Thank you, Robbie, for such a beautiful tribute to our son. Both your photos and your story truly capture the essence of Cody and all that he stood for. We watched over him for almost 22 years and now he’s watching over us until we see him again. God bless all of our troops and keep them safe in His love.
Wendi Stanley
Thank you, too, Wendi. I watched your moving tribute to your son. I was amazed at your strength.
When we ask, “Where do we find such men?” as the Cody Stanley’s of the world, it’s obvious after you meet their parents and see the towns where they grew up.
God bless you and your family; may he continue to provide you the comfort that you need.
The loved ones of this brave hero are in my thoughts and prayers…
“I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your breavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom”
(Abraham Lincoln)