Victim’s family breaks their silence - (Vernon Hunter family)

[sonias]

I'm making this a separate post since I think it deserves respect for their message. I did not edit it since it is essentially a press release from the family.

AAS 1/20/10
Victim’s family breaks their silence

A statement by the victim’s family in Thursday’s crash was released today:

"This afternoon, the Travis County Medical Examiner’s office positively identified the remains of the "person unaccounted for" in the aerial attack on the Echelon building, in Austin, TX., on Thursday, February 18th,2010. Regrettably, they are the remains of Mr. Vernon Hunter of Cedar Park, TX. His wife, Valerie Hunter, has lost a devoted, loving and doting partner, friend and spouse. His children, Donald, Ken, and Christine have lost a father who absolutely adored them. He was their constant and loyal friend. Seven grandchildren: Don Jr., Jolene, Lutisia, Sienna, Quinn, Savannah, Athena, and one great grand child, Anastasia, will no longer have the love and affection of a grandfather who lived and breathed for them. The Greater Mt. Zion church family of Austin, TX, under the leadership of Gaylon Clark, is saddened beyond words at the loss of Vern’s presence among us.

Vern also has three step-children: Justin, Crystin, and Tara Jackson. His three children and grandchildren are from his first marriage to Hallie Hunter, of El Paso, TX. We are grieving today as one family.

We are not the only family in mourning today. Our hearts go out to the wife and family of Andrew Joseph Stack. We are not angry with them because they did not do this. We forgive Joe for his actions which took Vern’s “pound of flesh” with him. Joe had to be in a great deal of pain and distress so… the family and friends of Vernon Hunter, and the entire "Body of Christ" at The Greater Mt. Zion Church, pray for their peace and comfort this day, in the name of Jesus. We are also praying for any and every person whose life has been impacted by this terrible tragedy.

The local and national press has been awesome. We understand both their interest and persistence. Reporters from various local and national networks have been encamped around the Hunter residence. They have been patient, respectful and kind. We thank you.

We cannot acknowledge each person by name but suffice it to say this family has been surrounded by neighbors, friends, co-workers and spiritual family. The support and generosity of local business establishments like H.E.B., Shakes has been overwhelming. American and Continental airlines have contributed major discounted flights for family members. We acknowledge separately, the distinct, professional and spiritual guidance of Gaylon Clark and the entire Deacon Board of Great Mt. Zion Baptist Church and; our most sacred advisor, Mr. John Onstott, General Manager, Cook-Walden Funeral Home at 6100 North Lamar in Austin, TX.

Flags in the Hunter’s beautiful Cedar Park community are at half-mass, as they should be across the country, in honor of this fallen soldier, until he is laid to rest. Funeral arrangements for Mr. Hunter are pending. He will receive a full military funeral with honors in Austin, TX - the location, due to it’s size and scope, is yet to be determined. At Vern’s request, he will be laid to rest at a PRIVATE burial in the Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to a scholarship/trust fund for Vernon Hunter’s grandchildren, to be established at the Austin Telco Federal Credit Union, under the direction of Mrs. Pamela Williams-Cotton. This process will not be complete until after burial services. Thank you."

I think this is a wonderful cause and I hope that anyone who is able to contribute, would do so, for the benefit of Vernon Hunter's grandchildren. What a wonderful family. My heart breaks for them right now. :cry:

May he rest in peace. :grouphug:

Sonia

[white cloud]

1. In Respect for a lost brother Taps

RIP Mr. Vernon Hunter and Family

Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.
Go to sleep,
peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
or sailor,
God keep.
On the land
or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well;
Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise,
For our days,
'Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.

The History of Taps
http://www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil/intro.html


From another Vet.

[sonias]

2. Thank you, white cloud

A fitting tribute from you as a Vet.

:patriot: Both of you. And we thank you for your service too.

I myself have never served in the military but I come from a family of service. Four brothers who served in the armed services. Three during the Vietnam war just as Mr. Hunter.

Godspeed Vernon Hunter.



Sonia

[sonias]

3. YouTube video link

This video is narrated by the same Master Sergeant Jari A Villanueva, USAF. who is listed in your link for the History of Taps. Very nice clip.

Taps The Bugler's Cry-The Origin of Sounding Taps

Sonia

[onestepforward]

4. Very beautiful.

Thank you.

RIP Mr. Hunter and condolences to his family and friends.

[sonias]

5. Crash victim's son: 'My dad would have helped him'

AAS 2/21/10
Crash victim's son: 'My dad would have helped him'
Injured man released from burn unit.

Valerie Hunter had just stepped off the elevator on the first floor of the Northwest Austin building where she and her husband have worked for years.

She heard a loud explosion. She felt a violent shake.

Then, according to friends and relatives with whom she has shared the horror of Thursday morning, she bolted toward the nearest exit with co-workers and started searching for her husband, Vernon.

As minutes ticked away, she figured he was still helping others escape. After all, he was a volunteer safety coordinator for his floor.

But after two days of helpless waiting, family members received confirmation Saturday that Hunter, a 68-year-old Internal Revenue Service employee for more than two decades, was dead.

"It still probably hasn't all set in," son Ken Hunter of San Antonio said. "It didn't seem like something that could happen."

How horrible. His wife was also one of the people in that building. She had to have known immediately, when she couldn't find him. Bless Valerie Hunter. :cry:

There is so much more of the background story for Vernon Hunter in this story. Well worth the read.

Sonia

[Vogon_Glory]

6. Vernon Hunter: A Good, Decent Christian Man

Rest in peace, sir. My sympathies to his family.

:cry:

:patriot:

[sonias]

7. Meet The Real Victim Of Last Week's Terror Attack On IRS Building - Vietnam Vet, Vernon Hunter

Crooks and Liars 2/22/10
Meet The Real Victim Of Last Week's Terror Attack On IRS Building - Vietnam Vet, Vernon Hunter
Last week, Joseph Stack set his house on fire, drove to the airport, jumped in his plane and flew it into an IRS building in Austin, Texas. This deliberate, cowardly act of domestic terrorism resulted in injuring thirteen IRS workers and left one man dead -- a veteran of the Vietnam War:

When Ken Hunter first heard about a plane crashing into his father's office building in Austin, he said he hoped his dad, Vernon Hunter, wasn't there.

After several attempts to reach his father, a 67-year-old IRS worker, he discovered his dad was missing.

In the hours that followed, Ken said he heard lots of talk about the pilot's motivations and felt compelled to speak out on his father's behalf.

"There was just too much going on about what the guy did and what he believed in, and enough's enough," he said. "They don't need to talk about him. Talk about my dad. You know, some people are trying to make this guy out to be a hero, a patriot. My dad served two terms in Vietnam. This guy never served at all. My dad wasn't responsible for his tax problems."

Ken Hunter is doing wonderful work trying to get the focus back on his Dad. Vernon Hunter's story deserves to be told.

Sonia

[sonias]

8. Son of missing IRS employee speaks out after plane crash

News 8 Austin 2/20/10
Son of missing IRS employee speaks out after plane crash

(snip)

"I saw the building and that was my dad's office building. So I called maybe eight times or more," Ken said.

But his dad never picked up the phone. A few hours later, he learned his dad was missing.

Ken Hunter said he felt compelled to speak out on his father's behalf.

"You hope for a miracle, but logically you're like 'No , no'," he said.

In the hours that followed, Ken said he heard lots of talk about the pilot's motivations and felt compelled to speak out on his father's behalf.

"There was just too much going on about what the guy did and what he believed in, and enough's enough," he said. "They don't need to talk about him. Talk about my dad. You know, some people are trying to make this guy out to be a hero, a patriot. My dad served two terms in Vietnam. This guy never served at all. My dad wasn't responsible for his tax problems."

Ken Hunter is absolutely right - Vernon Hunter is the hero. His life deserves more coverage than the coward who killed him.

:hug: Ken Hunter.

Sonia

[sonias]

9. White House message

White House blog 2/22/10

Condolences In Austin

Last week, tragedy befell public servants in Austin, Texas. Earlier today, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner met with IRS employees in Austin to express his sympathies and support, and he read this note from the President:

To the men and women of the Internal Revenue Service at Austin:

I asked Secretary Geithner to carry this message to you.

It is with great sadness that I write to you on the tragic events of February 18th. You, your families and colleagues are in my thoughts and prayers.

Michelle and I extend our condolences to you on the death of your colleague, Mr. Vernon Hunter. Vernon dedicated his life to service to this great country, serving over 20 years in the military before joining the IRS. We mourn his death.

As we work with law-enforcement agencies to investigate the events leading up to this plane crash, I want the dedicated employees of the IRS to know that I am thankful for your dedication, courage and professionalism as we rebuild in Austin. And as you continue your work, we will do what is needed to ensure your safety.

We are grateful for your service to this country.

May God bless you and the United States of America.

President Barack Obama

:patriot:

IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner were in Austin on Monday:
IRS officials meet with employees

:kick:

[marypanther92]

10. Question

I am asking a question for my dad. He is almost 100% positive that Vernon Hunter was his Company Commander. Can anyone tell me if Mr. Hunter was with the 543rd Trans Co. Long Bein Vietnam? My dad would just like to know if that was him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Hunter family.

[sonias]

11. Welcome to the DU Texas forum, marypanther92

:hi:

I have no idea if Vernon Hunter was your father's company commander. Only the family would know that. You might try contacting his son Ken Hunter.

Or since your father is a Vet, couldn't he contact the military and find out?

Wish I could help you.

Sonia

[sonias]

12. This story on KENS5 in San Antonio has a video

It says Vernon Hunter joined the army at 18, serving in Vietnam before retiring as a chief warrant officer at Fort Bliss in El Paso.

Here is the link:
Victim's son calls Austin pilot a coward

[sonias]

13. A family's loss, a community's loss

AAS Editorial 2/23/10
A family's loss, a community's loss

Once again, Austin's turn at unimaginable tragedy has reminded us of our town's unending grace.

In the past, it's been evidenced when neighbor helped neighbor during a natural disaster or when a community opened its arms and hearts to the families of four young girls slain in a yogurt shop or, longer ago, when a madman opened fired from atop the University of Texas tower.

This time, it began shortly after a misguided pilot expressed his misguided anger by crashing his plane (An oft-asked question around town these days: How bad can life be for a guy who owns a plane?) into a Northwest Austin office building housing local Internal Revenue Service folks.

We saw grace and skill in the first responders. We saw it in passers-by who helped in whatever way possible.

(snip)
Vernon Hunter, a hero in the way that ordinary people are, will be honored at a military funeral Friday. He will be buried in the veterans cemetery in Killeen. He leaves a family that honors him and a community that will continue to depend on people like him.

(snip)
We are diminished by the loss of Vernon Hunter and enriched by what he left. If so moved, you can show your respect by contributing to a fund to be established at Austin Telco Federal Credit Union for Hunter's grandchildren.

[sonias]

14. City to honor plane attack victims, heroes

AAS 2/24/10
City to honor plane attack victims, heroes

According to an announcement from the City of Austin:

Mayor Lee Leffingwell will join City Manager Marc Ott and members of the police, fire and EMS departments to hold a moment of silence in memory of those impacted by the plane crash exactly on Feb. 18th.

(snip)
WHERE: City Hall Plaza.

WHEN: Thursday at 9:45a.m.

:kick:

[sonias]

15. Mayor, city leaders thank responders to plane attack

AAS City Beat blog 2/25/10
Mayor, city leaders thank responders to plane attack

Mayor Lee Leffingwell and City Manager Marc Ott thanked the city’s public safety personnel this morning for their quick and efficient response to the plane crash into a Northwest Austin office building last week by Andrew Joseph Stack III.

In a ceremony at City Hall, Leffingwell honored Robin De Haven, a glass company employee who stopped his truck and used a ladder to help employees get out of the building. De Haven was awarded three ceremonial coins from the police, fire and EMS departments. He is the first individual to receive such an honor, the mayor said.

(snip)
Leffingwell then led onlookers in a moment of silence to honor Vernon Hunter, an IRS employee who was killed in the attack.

A candlelight vigil is planned tonight from 6:15 to 7:15 on the frontage road of U.S. 183 near Stonelake Boulevard, across the highway from the crash site. People are asked to bring their own candles and to park in the Gateway Shopping Center.

:kick:

[sonias]

16. Funeral for man killed in plane crash draws hundreds

AAS 2/26/10
Funeral for man killed in plane crash draws hundreds

More than 200 people attended funeral services Friday for 68-year-old Vernon Hunter, who was killed last week when a plane crashed into a Northwest Austin building.

The entrance of the St. James Missionary Baptist Church on East Martin Luther King Jr. Street was lined with about two dozen Patriot Guard Riders holding American flags. The riders are traditionally veterans who attend funerals to show respect and support for fallen heroes, their families and their communities. Hunter served two tours in the Vietnam war.

Photo gallery

Rest in peace, Vernon Hunter.
:patriot: