Eureka Helps Honor Fallen Soldier from Missouri

It was a small group that gathered together at a bridge spanning over Highway 44 in Eureka Wednesday, but they felt they had a big mission. 

Some of the approximately 30 people had American Flags dropped over the fence shielding the bridge's walkway while others gripped smaller hand-held versions. A truck from the Eureka Fire Department also displayed the nation's colors behind them. 

They had put up the display of patriotic solidarity at the Central Avenue Bridge overlooking I-44 in support of deceased Sullivan, Mo., Marine Staff Sgt. Mark A. Byrd Gorzick.

Gorzick was escorted home Wednesday by the Missouri Highway Patrol and the Patriot Guard motorcycle fleet after being flown to Lambert Airport from California. 

Their route brought them through Eureka on Highway I-44 and underneath the Central Avenue bridge. Long-time resident Annita Leuthauser was one of those who attended and said she hoped it provide some comfort for the family in the face of their tragic loss. 

"We have to show our support for everybody in these families," she said. "I would want them to do it if for me if one of my kids was killed."

Sherri Walker and her husband came in from Sullivan to show their support. Like Gorzick, she also served in the Marine Corp.

Although she is from the same town as the 29-year-old marine, Walker said she didn't know him personally but felt a bond nonetheless and a duty to help honor a fellow soldier.   

According to the Sullivan Independent News, Gorzick had served three tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. He was a graduate of Bourbon High School and was stationed in Camp Pendleton in California when he died on May 28. 

After the escort carrying Gorzik finished passing by, Leuthauser was moved to tears. She had recently lost three of her grandkids to tragedy as well, in her case, car accidents. One of them had been bound for a career in the military. 

"We've lost too many --" she began, before being overcome with emotion. 

Funeral services for Gorzik are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, at Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan. The viewing is set from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, also at the funeral home.