A family member of Lance Cpl. Christopher Fowlkes recently said the community demonstrated that the impacts of Christopher’s death were not isolated to the family.

“We’re blessed to live where we live and realized as a family that our community hurts along with us,” the family member said after witnessing thousands of people come together to grieve, to pray, and to salute a young Marine who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Fowlkes, a 20-year-old graduate of Gaffney High School who was serving his second tour of duty overseas with the U.S. Marine Corps., was critically injured Sept. 3 in the Helmand province of Afghanistan by a roadside bomb. Fowlkes died from his injuries Sept. 10

In a show of love, support and respect that many had never witnessed before, thousands of people lined Interstate 85 and the roadways of the City of Gaffney on Sept. 16 as Fowlkes was brought home to a hero’s welcome.

Even more turned out to salute the fallen Marine, and to express gratitude for his ultimate sacrifice, on Sept. 18, when he was laid to rest at Frederick Memorial Gardens.


Ledger photos by Rodger Painter, Tim Gulla, Joe Hughes and Cody Sossamon