Toni Hopper
The Duncan Banner
DUNCAN —
A public procession will be held Thursday to honor Army Ranger Staff Sgt. Vinson Adkinson, who was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, Aug. 31.
Adkinson’s remains will arrive at Henry Post Army Airfield at Fort Sill around 11:20 a.m. Thursday. This is not open to the public and no public will be allowed. Following that, the area Patriot Guard riders will escort Adkinson and his family to Duncan.
The plane's arrival time is dependent upon the weather.
People can line the highways beginning at the Stephens County line on State Highway 7, or at the Duncan/Lawton Y. The public procession will travel U.S. Highway 81 from the Y, to Grantham Funeral Home in Duncan, at Elk Avenue. Anyone who wishes to show respect and support for Adkinson can begin lining the highway around noon, or later, to about 12:30 p.m., again pending the plane's arrival time.
Vinson Bryon Adkinson III, an Empire native, also known as “Trinity” was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) that exploded near his unit, killing him and four other soldiers.
He was a part of the 173rd Airborne Division, based out of Hamburg, Germany. He served five tours, three in Iraq, and was on his second tour in Afghanistan when he was killed. He spent eight years overseas.
A full military honor burial will take place at 1 p.m. Monday at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin. His funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Ray of Hope Church Monday and the Patriot Guard escort will be involved.
For information on the public procession, e-mail Rochelle Fetterley at hooahhooahwife@gmail.com. Fetterley also encourages area businesses to acknowledge the return of Adkinson with their business signs.
“We would like for the community to show their support by coming out Thursday as he is brought home,” Fetterley said. “The procession should roll into Duncan sometime between 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.”
Kentucky Fried Chicken has offered to donate meals for Adkinson’s family.
— Toni Hopper is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. She can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 132 or by e-mail at: toni.hopper@duncanbanner.com.
