Town of Man honors local soldier killed in action while fighting in the Ukrainian Army
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Shortly after 6:00 p.m., a long procession of first responders, law enforcement and military vehicles came down the hill leading from US 119 to the Town of Man, carrying with them the body of 33-year-old United States National Guard Staff Sgt. Tyrone Lamyaithong.
Robert Fields | WVOW News
TOWN OF MAN After completing his service with the United States armed forces, SSG Lamyaithong chose to then travel overseas as a civilian to join Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s military invasion of the country. He was killed in action while serving alongside the Ukrainian Army in the Donetsk Region of Eastern Ukraine. Town officials said in a social media post that Tyrone fought for what he believed in and extended their condolences to the Lamyaithong family, saying, “Our community mourns with you and honors Tyrone’s courage and sacrifice.”
Lamyaithong’s body was received by family and loved ones at Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home in his hometown of Man. The streets of the town were lined with members of the community, some holding American flags and many others with lit candles. A prayer circle led by Pastor Bev Baker of the Bruce McDonald United Methodist Church drew dozens of people holding hands and bowing their heads.
“Just a heart-wrenching but very honorable ceremony to bring home a loved one, a friend, former student – hero,” said Logan County Commission President and Man native Billy Jack Dickerson, who taught both Tyrone and his brother in school.
“Oftentimes it’s difficult to make things happen because it seems like at times, everybody’s pulling on a different end of the rope,” he said when commenting on the feelings evoked by seeing the outpouring of support from his fellow community members. “I remember back in grade school when we had the one activity that involved a parachute, and everybody had to pull on different directions on the parachute, and then selected students would run from one side to the next. And that’s what it reminds me of: to think that, if we were all pulling on the same end of the rope, we’d get a lot more done.”
“This evening, everybody was pulling on the same end of the rope,” Dickerson said.
A similar sense of pride was described by Man Mayor John Fekete, who said bringing the young man home took a rapid act of mass cooperation on the local, state and federal levels.
“It was just kind of a thing that came together from Senator Phillips, to some of the local folks here in town, to the Sheriff’s Department here in Logan County, the State Police, City of Logan, City of Chapmanville – we just all worked together and made a great team. We had a really good turnout here this evening for the procession,” said Mayor Fekete. “We’re satisfied with how it turned out.”
Logan County Senator Rupie Phillips joined the motorcade for the trip from Columbus, exiting the procession in Charleston to rejoin the ongoing Legislative Session. Also taking part in the procession were two longtime friends of Tyrone, Zachary and Abby Asbury.
“Tyrone was one of a kind, very brave – always brave, always loyal, and someone you could always depend on. He was a friend to everybody,” said Zachary.
“From the time we came into West Virginia, it’s been so many first responders, people on the side of the road already with flags. I mean, over an hour away and they knew about this, and it was just miraculous,” Abby said. “In such a difficult time when we’re grieving, it’s a blessing to see everybody show up and show them so much love because they’ve always shown up for us in our lives, the whole Lamyaithong family. They’ve shown up for us and they do so much for the community and we just love them so much.”
Friends are invited to call from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Logan. Services for Lamyaithong will be held at 11:00 Tuesday morning. He’ll be laid to rest at Donald C. Canard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, where military honors will be observed.
PHOTOS | Robert Fields - WVOW Radio