The Walker Legion Post 134 Honor Guard renders honors as a National Guard Honor Guard removes the flagdraped coffin of SPC George Cauley from a hearse - photo by Dean Morrill

Bert Woodford (from right) of the Minnesota Patriot Guard and Walker Legion Honor Guard member Dick Hein salute as Cauley’s casket is brought into the Dennis Funeral Home - photo by Dean Morrill

By Dean Morrill, The Pilot-Independent, Walker, MN

George Cauley made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and the Walker community came out during the afternoon of Friday, October, 17 to honor his service when he was brought home for the final time.

Cauley, 24, died Oct. 10 in Bagram, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device three days earlier in the Helmand Province. He was one of eight U.S. soldiers killed that weekend in Afghanistan, and was the 87th service member with strong ties to Minnesota to die in connection with the war on terror.

"We mourn the loss of this brave soldier," said Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito in a press release. "We will never forget his dedication, loyalty and bravery shown for the United States of America and the state of Minnesota. I ask that you keep SPC Cauley, his family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers."

Hundreds of people lined up in the rain along along Highway 371, many holding American flags, as the military van was escorted from the Bemidji Airport. The procession was led by law enforcement vehicles and the Minnesota Patriot Guard.

A National Guard Honor Guard met the airplane in Bemidji and helped escort Cauley to Walker. Several other Legion Honor Guards, including ones from Walker, Hackensack, Pine River, Boy River and Bena, were posted along the route and outside Dennis Funeral Home to render the proper respect.

There weren’t many dry eyes, and it was eerily silent as the procession arrived at Walker city limits and turned the corner onto Sixth Street. The Honor Guard then removed Cauley’s flag draped coffin from the hearse and took it into the funeral home.

A 2003 graduate of Northland School in Remer who moved to the Walker area after graduation, Cauley was a member of the Minnesota National Guard’s 114th Truck Company based in Duluth. The company had 187 soldiers who were mobilized to Afghanistan in June.

Cauley enlisted in the Guard at age 17 and was on his first overseas tour of duty to Afghanistan. He was the only child of Richard and Gloria Cauley of rural Walker.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at the Camp Ripley Chapel in Little Falls, with interment following at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery.