Dressed in black formal wear or olive dress uniforms, denim and leather or T-shirts and sandals, clutching American flags, or holding up homemade signs, the community came to honor the first Forsyth County soldier killed in combat since the Vietnam War. Active-duty soldiers in camouflage fatigues, white-haired veterans in dress uniforms of green, white or blue, police officers and firefighters stood rigidly at attention and saluted as the hearse passed by. The Handle’s were among the thousands of people who stood silently along a flag-lined stretch of Dahlonega Highway in the sweltering midday heat as a hearse carrying the body of Army Cpl. Matthew Phillips rolled up to the Coal Mountain Baptist Church. Alan attended the funeral representing Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. At the conclusion of the memorial service, Phillips' survivors were presented the three honors he was awarded posthumously: the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Good Conduct Medal.
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