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Willis honors
Logan family,
fallen son during funeral
By Carrie Thornton
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February 2, 2012 and updated
The Courier |
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A quiet peace that comes from honoring a beloved son of the community fell over Willis Wednesday as hundreds drew together to honor Marine Cpl. Joseph Logan and his family. 
Staff Photo by Eric S. Swist
Parents Debi and Tom Logan place roses on the casket of their son, Cpl. Joseph Logan, during Wednesday's funeral services at the North Montgomery Community Center in Willis.
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Gathering outside and inside the North Montgomery County Community Center, the crowd of men, women and children became silent as the hearse carrying Logan, 22, one of six Marines killed by a helicopter crash Jan. 19 in
Afghanistan, drew near. Across the street, more than 600 students from C.C. Hardy Elementary stood in tribute, all holding small American flags.
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“The Logan family is from our community,” Assistant Principle Brandi Green said, “and this is our way to let family and friends know we are here to support them in this tough time.”
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A gentle breeze blew life into countless flags held by community members lining the entrance to the center, a reminder of Logan’s final farewell to his parents, Tom and Debi Logan.
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The day after receiving word of their son’s death, the Logan's were outside their home preparing to leave for Dover, Del. to receive his remains, Tom Logan said in a previous interview.
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“Then, all of a sudden I noticed the top of our tree started to wave. It was like Joey saying ‘Bye’ to us,” he said. “Then after he waved, the Marine Corps flag blew straight out.
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“If you don’t believe in God – that was proof.”
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The silence of the crowd amplified the sound of footsteps from the six Marines carrying Logan’s casket into the center. As the mourners followed respectfully, they passed a table holding Joseph Logan’s fishing rod, a pair of his
combat boots, his dog tags and a copy of the New Testament that he carried.
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Chaplain Charles Rowley, who flew from Dover to officiate at the funeral, got to know the Logan family last week when they were summoned to Dover along with the families of the other Marines who died in the crash.
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“Although I never had a chance to meet him,” Rowley said, “after talking to his family and getting to know him, it became apparent to me that Joseph was not only a Marine, but a great Marine.”
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A 2008 graduate of Willis High School, Logan enlisted in the Marine Corps in November 2008 and served two deployments in Afghanistan. His awards and honors include an Air Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit
Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and NATO ISAF Medal.
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Lance Cpl. Stephen Cassman, Logan’s best friend, admired and looked up to the man he called his brother, he said in his eulogy.
Staff Photo by Eric S.Swist
Marine Lance Cpl. Stephen Cassman embraces the parents of Marine Cpl. Joseph Logan, of Willis, during during funeral services, Wednesday.
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“But I don’t want anyone to leave feeling sorry for Joey,” Cassman said, “because Joey’s lived a full life. He’s done so many great things.
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“It’s an honor to have known him.” 
Staff Photo Eric S Swist
Marine honor guard members fold the flat that draped the casket of Marine Cpl. Joseph Logan during his funeral Wednesday.
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When the echoes of the 21-gun salute and “Taps” faded, Marine officers folded the flag that had draped Logan’s casket, handing it to his mother and father. They then also handed folded flags to Logan’s wife, Melissa Rushing, and
to his four siblings – Tommy Logan, Robert Logan, Tricia Nickel and Andrea Logan.
Staff Photo by Eric S. Swist
The Lone Star Freedom Fliers perform the "missing man formation" after "Taps" was played during Wednesday's funeral in Willis for Marine Cpl. Joseph Logan.
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At that moment, four jets flew overhead in the “missing man” formation, executed by the Lone Star Freedom Fliers.
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| Marines in Afghanistan honor brethren killed in helicopter crash, WHS grad |
| Pct. 2 honors for county’s fallen heroes
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Community shows up to honor fallen Willis Marine|
| Joseph Daniel Logan's
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