Dispatches from Ludlow and Westover as Western Massachusetts mourns the sergeant who was killed in Afghanistan May 12.
05.20.2010 | Photo by Mark M. Murray / The Republican | Marines fold the American flag to present to the family of Marine Sgt. Joshua Desforges during the service at Westover Air Reserve Base.
An updated version of this story is now available.
LUDLOW - A military funeral service for Marine Sgt. Joshua D. Desforges will be held today at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee.
Desforges, 23, a six-year veteran of the Marine Corps, died Wednesday, May 12 as a result of a hostile incident while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, according to a statement issued by the 2nd Division Office of Public Affairs.
05.21.2010 | Photo by John Suchocki / The Republican | LUDLOW - The casket of fallen Marine Sgt. Joshua Desforges leaves the Ludlow Funeral Home under salute from the honor guard.
The private funeral is planned for 11 a.m. Friday at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee. The funeral procession will leave Ludlow Funeral Home at 10 a.m. and travel up East Street to Chapin Street to Fuller Street to the Chicopee base. Only invited guests of the family will be allowed on the base for the funeral ceremony.
School in Ludlow has been closed for the day and residents are invited to park at Ludlow High School, Veterans Park Elementary School, Baird Middle School and Chapin Street School to participate.
The Ludlow High School band will play in front of Ludlow High School during the procession.
Republican reporters Patrick Johnson and George Graham will be providing coverage from Westover Air Reserve Base. Editors Ray Kelly and Greg Saulmon will provide additional coverage from Ludlow High School.