By Vanesa Brashier, editor@bluebonnetnews.com
Mourners packed the Hardin Chapel Cemetery pavilion on Thursday morning to show honor and respect for the life of U.S. Army veteran Terry Vick, who died in early April.
Most who attended had never met Vick even though he spent 40 years of his post-military life in the community of Liberty. On Wednesday, when word got out on social media that Allison Funeral Home was having trouble finding a single relative to attend Vick’s funeral, other veterans and community residents made plans to stand in for Vick’s family.
As it turned out, one of Vick’s relatives was located by the time of his funeral. Conna Draughon, of Livingston, said she hadn’t seen her first cousin in 10 years after the two lost touch. As Vick was homeless in the latter part of his life, Draughon said she had looked for him unsuccessfully on numerous occasions. It was through an article on Bluebonnet News, which was shared on social media by more than 1,500 people, that Draughon learned of her cousin’s passing.
“I saw the story on Facebook and it took my breath away,” said Draughon.
She contacted Allison Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon to share her plans to attend his funeral with her husband, Martin. At Vick’s funeral, she tearfully accepted the U.S. flag that draped his coffin during the graveside service, which was led by Rev. Gideon Watson, pastor of Hardin First United Methodist Church.
Providing a proper military burial for military personnel who have fallen on hard times is a duty that all Americans should feel compelled to carry out to the fullest of their abilities, Watson said.
“For those who have served our country, regardless of who they are, they deserve the honor and dignity of our respect and admiration. It is through their sacrifice that we have the many freedoms that we enjoy today, and we sometimes take those for granted,” Watson said. “Terry Lynn Vick is no different. He gave a part of his life to see that this great land was secure as a member of the U.S. Army. For that service, he earned the right to a proper burial with military honors.”
Vick’s funeral was attended by members of the U.S. Army, who performed the ceremonial folding and presentation of the American flag; the VFW Honor Guard from Post 5621 in Liberty; American Legion Post members representing six Legion Posts in the area; and the Patriot Guard Riders.
Hardin Cemetery Association donated a burial plot for Vick, Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions provided a casket and Superior Grave Service assisted with internment. Allison Funeral Home in Liberty provided mortuary services.
Rev. Gideon Watson, pastor of Hardin First United Methodist Church, leads a graveside funeral service for U.S. Army veteran Terry Vick on Thursday at Hardin Chapel Cemetery. 
The VFW Post 5621 Honor Guard performs a gun salute at the funeral for U.S. Army veteran Terry Vick on Thursday at the Hardin Chapel Cemetery. 
Taps is performed at the funeral of U.S. Army veteran Terry Vicks on Thursday at Hardin Chapel Cemetery. 
A friend of U.S. Army veteran Terry Vick accepts a flag from Kelly Waterman with U.S. Rep. Brian Babin’s office at Vick’s funeral on Thursday at Hardin Chapel Cemetery. 
Tony Day with the Patriot Guard Riders makes a presentation to Vick’s family and friends at his funeral on Thursday in Hardin. 
Veterans from all across the area attended the funeral of U.S. Army veteran Terry Vick. Though most never met him, they were compelled to attend his funeral since none of Vick’s few remaining relatives were expected to attend. His cousin, Conna, learned about Vick’s passing on Wednesday and came to represent the family. 
The Patriot Guard Riders showed their support for U.S. Army veteran Terry Vick by attending his funeral on Thursday, May 9, at Hardin Chapel Cemetery. Left to right are Dennis Brown, Bob Bagley, Ed Gunn, Anissa Guthrie, Tony Day, David Lindsay, Roy Duke and Clyde Mahavier. 
Five chapters of Brothers East – Beaumont, East County, Dayton, Houston and Baytown – came to show respect for a U.S. Army veteran they never met on Thursday, May 9, at Hardin Chapel Cemetery. When they learned that Terry Vick was expected to be buried without a single relative in attendance, they made plans to attend. As it turned out, the story that ran in Bluebonnet News helped locate a relative of Vick’s. Pictured left to right are Vincent Humberson, Mikey Cupp, Kyla Holder, John Reyes, Tyson Smith and Jeremy Silva. 
U.S. Army veteran Terry Vick died in early April.