By Scott Harvey
Paris – Hundreds lined the streets of Paris Thursday to pay tribute to Sgt. Jay M Hoskins, the first soldier the city has lost in battle since the 9/11 era.
His body arrived at Cox Field around noon Thursday. People stood and waved American flags as the hearse transporting his body to a local funeral home passed by.
For the past year, the city has been hindered by racial tensions, with recent protests demanding justice over a dragging death. But Thursday's ceremony seemed to bring peace back to the community.
Hoskins is a 2003 graduate of North Lamar High School. He was on his third tour of duty in the Middle East when he and two other military soldiers were killed following a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan.
Funeral services will be held in the North Lamar Gym with full military honors Saturday at 10 am.