The body of Corporal Casey Hills passes under a large flag held by aerial trucks from the Salem and Centralia Fire Protection Districts on the day of his funeral. WJBDradio.com photo by Bruce Kropp.

Corporal Casey Hills of Salem was remembered as a true American hero at his funeral Saturday.   The Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard William Enyart said Hills did not have to go on the mission that claimed his life in Iraq and he didn't have to be in the infantry or National Guard, but instead he stood up to defend our freedom. 

Patriot Guard Riders provided flags at the entrance to the church during the visitation and funeral and also wrote in the funeral procession. A number of Salem residents lined the route of the procession in the rain to show respect one final time to Casey Hills. Photo by Randy Dehn.

"For Casey's family and friends the Fourth of July will never be the same.  Next year when you see the fireworks in future years think of them as a celebration of Casey's life, a celebration of his love of country, of family, and of fellow soldiers," Enyart told the 300 at the funeral.    

Enyart cited praise for Hills from the commander of his unit as well as from fellow soldiers.  Enyart repeated the words of Lieutenant Colonel Micheal Peeters that Hills had volunteered for the mission that ended in his death so another soldier could attend a ceremony to become an American citizen.  Enyart quoted a soldier in the unit who noted Hills death came the same week as the deaths of two entertainment super stars filled the news.  However, the soldier questioned who had a better chance to make this a better place, the entertainment super star or the American soldier.  The fellow soldier concluded we are better off because of Hills service and finished his statement with "Thank you Casey Hills."

Pastor Kevin Donaho also took note of Hills funeral being on Independence Day.  "On a day like July fourth we celebrate the freedoms we have, but God left us a humble reminder that freedoms aren't free,"

Chaplain Dave Noble described Hills in his message as a quiet but fun loving guy who was proud to serve.   "It was said he was the king of turn and burn.  For military folks that means jumping from one mission to another, willing to see the importance of citizenship for somebody who doesn't have it and willing to take their place.  He volunteered.  He has the heart of a true American hero.  You can be proud of the man Casey had become," said Noble.   He added Hills looked at animosity and turned it into opportunity.

Noble thanked all the citizens who gave time from their busy schedule to line the streets when Hills body was returned to Salem.  He also thanked Hills' family for shaping him into a great American hero. He predicted as days go on they will see the impact Hills had on others.

After the service, the large funeral procession traveled down North Broadway where it passed under a large U.S. Flag that had been hoisted above the roadway between aerial fire trucks from the Salem and Centralia Fire Protection Districts. Hills was then placed at final rest in the East Lawn Cemetery.

Salem Firefighters await the body of Corporal Casey Hills under the American Flag. WJBDradio.com photo by Bruce Kropp.