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One town's toll

For the fourth time, Plant City pays respects for a son killed in Iraq. On Friday, it was Jody Missildine, 19.

By BEN MONTGOMERY
Published April 22, 2006

PLANT CITY - The funeral cavalcade rolled down Collins Street and people here, even the ones who didn't know the soldier, stopped to watch.

The coin laundry emptied. A woman bowed her head outside China Palace. Three men in work boots stood in the bushes by Twistee Treat.

"I didn't raise him or feed him or beat him," said Linda Herring, who held her hand over her heart, "but he was one of mine. They all were."

Gone from this place are men who left behind names, ages and Department of Defense explanations:

Kevin Akins, 29, improvised explosive device.

James Phillips, 21, clearing houses in Fallujah.

Ronnie Ginther, 37, mortar fire.

And buried Friday, the fourth and the youngest: Jody Missildine, 19, improvised explosive device.

Hundreds came, including Missildine's father, Kelvin. He was released for 24 hours from jail by a Polk County judge despite the sheriff's objections.

The family didn't want him there either. Told to leave, he shouted profanities near the grave site. By the day's end, he was arrested again in Hillsborough County a few minutes after his 6 p.m. deadline to turn himself back in.

Before the disruption, the day was about Jody.

He was described as quiet and good-natured. He chased the GI Bill into the Army and told his friends he was excited to see the world.

Home at Christmas, he went shopping at Publix and was immediately surrounded by a dozen friends, his uncle Dale Missildine said.

His death came April 8 in Tal Afar, and it is testing a place where the bumper stickers still say Bush/Cheney04.

"We staunchly believe in supporting our country and our president" Herring said. "But this hurts everybody."

"It's a hard thing to know what to do," said Don Wells, who watched from his barber shop, where every deployment steals customers. "Don't anybody want the war to go on and on, but nobody's saying pull out right now."

At the cemetery, Kelvin Missildine stayed about 50 yards away from the grave. Kelvin Missildine has been in and out of jail most of Jody's life. Most recently in March, he was arrested for escape and battery on a police officer. He didn't raise either of his sons.

The night before, at a viewing, he said he kissed his boy and told him he loved him.

"He died doing what he wanted to do," he said. "D--- right I'm proud."

[Last modified April 22, 2006, 01:38:14]