HOULTON, Maine – Family and friends, members of the community, veterans and active service men and women attended the funeral service for Sfc. Jonathan A. Lowery at the Houlton Wesleyan Church on Dec. 22; about 250 people were in attendance at the service. Governor John Baldacci and Senators Olympia Snow and Susan Collins were also present. The governor had ordered flags to be flown at half staff that day in honor of Lowery. Rev. Marc Fuller, pastor of the Houlton Congregational Church, officiated the service.
Sfc. Lowery was serving with the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, III Corps when he died of wounds suffered during a gun battle on Friday, Dec. 14, in Mosul, Iraq. He was 38.
Major General John W. Libby, adjunct general of the Maine National Guard, and Gov. Baldacci presented Lowery’s family with his numerous military honors, including the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Saudi Arabia Kuwait Liberation Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. Lowery was also posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his bravery and injuries sustained on Dec. 14 in Mosul, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Maine Silver Star in recognition of his Purple Heart. His family also received the Gold Star Medal.
Baldacci also presented the family with a Maine state flag, which had been flown over the Blaine House.
Rev. Fuller praised Lowery as a “true role model” and pulled quotes and messages left on the guestbook on Legacy.com in Sfc. Lowery’s honor to illustrate just how many lives Lowery had touched.
“Jon Lowery was the best friend a guy could have. It was an honor to know him, grow up with him, serve with him in the Guard and the Army, and learn from his outstanding example. He will be missed greatly. The world will be a lonelier place without him for many, including me, but I know that his life efforts have made it a safer place for all of us. He gave the Ultimate Sacrifice for our well-being. My deepest and heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to all his family and friends,” wrote Brian A. Fortier of Augusta.
Messages of memories and condolences to the Lowery family came from people residing in Maine and throughout the rest of the United States, and even internationally.
“Jon, I don’t know why you had to go so soon, but everyone agrees you were doing what you loved, and I know you were happy. I’m so proud of you and having the privilege to meet you. Your mission is complete and I salute you. Sir, yes, sir! I know we’ll meet again one day, until then your memories will accompany us every day. You asked me not to cry when you were leaving, so I’ll smile for you. Thanks for the memories, Jon. Sir, yes sir!” wrote Mabel Sanchez of Waco, Texas.
Maj. Gen. Libby also spoke high praise of Lowery as a dedicated soldier, strong leader, and a student of military history.
“If death is a debt we all must pay, Jon paid it before he owed it,” Libby said.
Libby also pointed out that no one could truly find words to comfort the grieving family.
“Don’t dwell on how your father died,” Libby stressed to Lowery’s two young sons, “but focus on how he lived.”
Full military honors followed the funeral service outside, which included a 3-volley salute and a lone trumpeter performing “Taps.” Services concluded as Sfc. Lowery’s father, Winfield Lowery, and two sons, Dawson, 8, and Sean, 11, were presented with the ceremonial American flags.
Internment will take place in the spring at Soldiers Hill in the Evergreen Cemetery in Houlton.
Sfc. Lowery was serving with the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, III Corps when he died of wounds suffered during a gun battle on Friday, Dec. 14, in Mosul, Iraq. He was 38.
Major General John W. Libby, adjunct general of the Maine National Guard, and Gov. Baldacci presented Lowery’s family with his numerous military honors, including the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Saudi Arabia Kuwait Liberation Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. Lowery was also posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his bravery and injuries sustained on Dec. 14 in Mosul, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Maine Silver Star in recognition of his Purple Heart. His family also received the Gold Star Medal.
Baldacci also presented the family with a Maine state flag, which had been flown over the Blaine House.
Rev. Fuller praised Lowery as a “true role model” and pulled quotes and messages left on the guestbook on Legacy.com in Sfc. Lowery’s honor to illustrate just how many lives Lowery had touched.
“Jon Lowery was the best friend a guy could have. It was an honor to know him, grow up with him, serve with him in the Guard and the Army, and learn from his outstanding example. He will be missed greatly. The world will be a lonelier place without him for many, including me, but I know that his life efforts have made it a safer place for all of us. He gave the Ultimate Sacrifice for our well-being. My deepest and heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to all his family and friends,” wrote Brian A. Fortier of Augusta.
Messages of memories and condolences to the Lowery family came from people residing in Maine and throughout the rest of the United States, and even internationally.
“Jon, I don’t know why you had to go so soon, but everyone agrees you were doing what you loved, and I know you were happy. I’m so proud of you and having the privilege to meet you. Your mission is complete and I salute you. Sir, yes, sir! I know we’ll meet again one day, until then your memories will accompany us every day. You asked me not to cry when you were leaving, so I’ll smile for you. Thanks for the memories, Jon. Sir, yes sir!” wrote Mabel Sanchez of Waco, Texas.
Maj. Gen. Libby also spoke high praise of Lowery as a dedicated soldier, strong leader, and a student of military history.
“If death is a debt we all must pay, Jon paid it before he owed it,” Libby said.
Libby also pointed out that no one could truly find words to comfort the grieving family.
“Don’t dwell on how your father died,” Libby stressed to Lowery’s two young sons, “but focus on how he lived.”
Full military honors followed the funeral service outside, which included a 3-volley salute and a lone trumpeter performing “Taps.” Services concluded as Sfc. Lowery’s father, Winfield Lowery, and two sons, Dawson, 8, and Sean, 11, were presented with the ceremonial American flags.
Internment will take place in the spring at Soldiers Hill in the Evergreen Cemetery in Houlton.
