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Fallen Heroes


"Justin's Story"

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Justin Dean English was killed July 7th, 2008, when traveling in a military convoy that was struck by an IED roadside bomb while serving his country as a Firefighter/EMT in Iraq.

Justin, son of Woody and Arlene English, served our country and our community in many capacities in his short 25 years; including a position as a funeral home assistant in Waldron.  After high school (Waldron Class of 2001) and college graduation (Westark College Class of 2003), Justin found his sentiment to be "service to the american people" and thus began his firemen's career in Springdale, Arkansas, under the direction of Captain Duane Atha.

After two years serving the citizens of Springdale, Justin received a higher calling to render his firefighting/EMT services in a tour of duty in war-strickened Iraq.  He lost his life honorably for his country and leaves behind a legacy of great patriotism, kindness, and larger-than-life adventures.  Justin is remembered as an avid outdoors-man, a sportsman, a gun and knife collector, a boxer, a skydiver, a scuba diver, a good friend, a fireman's brother, a precious son and a small town's fallen hero. 

“Justin D. English Fallen Heroes Program”

This program was developed by Heritage Memorial Funeral Home as our way of saying "Thank You" to Justin, and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for us as Americans. This programs states that anyone defending our community here at home or defending our Country abroad, who is killed in the line of duty, is entitled to our professional services at no charge. This programs applies to members of our Military, Fire Department, Rescue Workers and Law Enforcement. This is our way of saying "Thank You" to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country both here at home, and on foreign soil. 


"Taking Chance"

In April 2004, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl, USMC, came across the name of 19-year-old Lance Corporal Chance Phelps, a young Marine who had been killed by hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Strobl, a Desert Storm veteran with 17 years of military service, requested that he be assigned for military escort duty to accompany Chance's remains to his family in Dubois, Wyoming. 

Witnessing the spontaneous outpouring of support and respect for the fallen Marine - from the groundskeepers he passed along the road to the cargo handlers at the airport - Strobl was moved to capture the experience in his personal journal, writing "Taking Chance." 

"Chance Phelps was wearing his Saint Christopher medal when he was killed on Good Friday. Eight days later, I handed the medallion to his mother. I didn't know Chance before he died. Today, I miss him."

Click here to visit the Chance Phelps Foundation.


The Gratitude Campaign




In this section

Veterans Overview

Veterans Headstones

Veterans Burial Flags

Veterans Remembered

Fallen Heroes

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