Monday, February 27, 2012

SP4 Kevin Hardin, United States Army, Ret.


Kevin Hardin was born February 24, 1986 and passed away on January 24, 2012, at the age of 25.

Kevin proudly served his country in the United States Army from 2007-2009. Kevin suffered severe injuries in Iraq on September 30, 2007 while serving as a Combat Medic. Over the next year plus, he underwent numerous surgeries for those injuries, and was medically retired from the Army in 2009

Kevin's numerous military decorations include the Purple Heart, the Combat Medic Badge, and the Army Achievement Medal.

Kevin's untimely passing is attributed to complications of his injuries and he is another casualty of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

A funeral service was held on January 27, 2012 at Heritage Funeral Home in Harker Heights, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags at the entrance to welcome the arriving family and friends.

After the service, the Riders led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas.

Awaiting at the cemetery were more Patriot Guard Riders and fifty American flags blowing briskly in the southerly wind.

After Kevin's flag draped casket was moved from the hearse to the committal shelter, the Riders formed a line of flags around the cemetery during the service.

United States Army Chaplain Hoos said the final prayers and led the gathering in the Lord's Prayer.

Full military honors were rendered by the Army Honor Guard. The detail of five riflemen fired three volleys of fire representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps.

The flag that covered the casket was carefully folded into the traditional triangle, passed ceremoniously to an Army Non-Commissioned Officer, and presented to Kevin's dear wife on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for Kevin's honorable and faithful service. A second folded flag was presented to Kevin's mother.

Representatives of Gold Star Mothers presented a Gold Star Service Flag to Kevin's mother, in recognition of his death as the result of his military service.

SP4 Kevin Hardin was then laid to rest on the sloping plain of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half-staff in his honor at the top of the hill.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, his parents, and numerous other dear family and friends. He also left behind his pride and joy - his Red, Shelby Mustang GT.
















This particular post gets a lot of visits. If you have read this, would you be kind enough to leave a comment about why and how you came to read this. Thank you very much for your interest in Kevin Hardin.
http://www.goldstarmoms.com/Resources/ServiceFlags/ServiceFlags.htm

12 comments:

  1. Please know that you are all in our Prayers . My heart just breaks for the entire family , esp. Kevin's wife. We pray for all Soldiers daily and really appreciate the sacrifices they make for all of us .
    We just watched the purchase of her wedding dress and then the dedication at the end of the show. It just brings such sadness to our hearts that his passing came so soon. God Bless you and Bring you Peace.
    Denise

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  2. Mrs. Hardin, Dylan Turner here! I would just like to say to remember that your son was a American HERO, my HERO,and Nothing less. His sacrifice may not have been made in action but he still served and he still sacrificed and I will not forget that! I will not forget him nor his brothers and sisters who made the sacrifice to!

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  3. I just watched this on say yes to the dress. My heart is truly touched and wondered about his wife. In 2010 I lost my husband Kevin A Welch. His untimely passing at age 36 from a pulmonary embolism was so shocking. This is a real life altering event. My prayers go out to his family.

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  4. I just watched this on say yes to the dress. My heart is truly touched and wondered about his wife. In 2010 I lost my husband Kevin A Welch. His untimely passing at age 36 from a pulmonary embolism was so shocking. This is a real life altering event. My prayers go out to his family.

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  5. I have just learnt about Kevin in Say yes to the dress and was deeply touched by his life story. My prayers are with him and his entire family.

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    1. Thanks for letting me know how to found this. Yes, it is an inspiring story.

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  6. I came across Say Yes to the Dress, and since it’s not a show I watch, I didn’t realize it had been filmed so long ago. I was teary eyed hearing Kevin’s story. It really touched my heart when he made the decision to wait outside so that he would be surprised when he saw his bride walking down the aisle. When I saw the memorial at the ending credits, I thought It couldn’t possibly be him because he said everything was improving. When I Googled the name I saw that it was him. My hearts breaks for his family, military family and friends. The is one of the most beautiful, heartfelt memorials I have ever read. Rest In Peace.

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    1. Thank you for visiting this site. He draws hundreds of viewers.

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  7. I saw him and his wife on say yes to the dress. I wanted to see if I could follow Kevin on social media to see how his recovery was going and this web page came up.

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    1. Thank you for telling me how you found your way here. He draws hundreds of visits.

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  8. I didn't know Kevin personally. Met his Mom during a TAPS Grief camp, since then, I visit Kevin;s grave. It has brought me closer, almost as if I did know him. He is now my "Angel Buddy".

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  9. First time I have seen this article. Thank you everyone for the kind comments. Xoxo I am Kevins wife/surviving spouse.

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