GLASGOW — Spc. Ryan K. Longnecker, 20, was laid to rest Thursday morning at Glasgow Municipal Cemetery with full military honors.
“We honor and respect Spc. Longnecker in his service in the National Guard. He was an asset to his unit. He was enthusiastic and caring,” said Chaplain Capt. Jerry L. Shacklett.
During the service, soldiers from the 623rd folded the American flag while Follis Crow from A.F. Crow and Son Funeral Home played “Taps” on the bugle. Gen. Edward W. Tonini from the National Guard presented the flag to Longnecker’s mother, Pamela Boyd, and the soldiers extended their condolences to the family.
“Ryan was a loving, caring son and brother who always seemed to have a smile on his face,” Boyd said in a statement released earlier this week. “He enjoyed being a soldier and had planned on making a career in the military. The past several months have been very difficult for us, not knowing where Ryan was. While his being found has brought us some peace, we will always miss him dearly. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who supported us through this ordeal. Your kind words, thoughts and prayers continue to be appreciated.”
Military honors were given by the Kentucky Army National Guard, 623rd Field Artillery Unit.
The funeral procession left the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. for Glasgow Municipal Cemetery to bury the National Guard soldier whose remains were found at Camp Shelby, Miss., on June 3.
Longnecker was training with the 138th Field Artillery at the Camp Shelby, Miss., National Guard base when he went missing on Aug. 6, 2007, two days before his unit left for Iraq. He was 19 years old at the time.
His remains were discovered by a group of fellow soldiers in a secluded area on the 136,000-acre base, 12 miles south of Hattiesburg, Miss.
The case was first labeled as Longnecker being absent without leave (AWOL) and was turned over to the U.S. Marshals Service in February.
The case is currently under investigation by the Army Criminal Investigation Division.
“I speak for all of our citizen-soldiers and airmen in expressing our condolences to Spc. Longnecker’s family and supporting them in their time of grief,” said Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, Adjutant General for Kentucky.
In addition to his mother and her husband, Larry, he is survived by his father, Bryan Keith Longnecker of Milton, Ind.; four brothers and sisters: Tosha Boyd and Joshua Boyd of Glasgow, and Mike Longnecker and Elizabeth Longnecker of Milton, Ind.; maternal grandparents: Jimmy and Stella Bray of Glasgow; paternal grandparents: Marvin and Stella Longnecker; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Local News
FINAL DETAIL
Soldier laid to rest
- Local News
-
-
UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: Fatal wreck on Burkesville Road
A Summer Shade man was identified as the driver in a fatal crash on Burkesville Road early Saturday morning.
-
Jail staff challenges Ober’s report
A long list of allegations made by a private investigator against the Barren County Detention Center is being challenged by a majority of the jail employees, who say they have not witnessed anything illicit.
-
BBBS honors volunteers Bell, Click
There’s no doubt about it. Tamara Click and Price Bell love spending time with their “little sister and little brother.”
-
Magistrates defend decision
Almost a month after a private investigator presented his summary report about the Barren County Detention Center and nearly five months since the initial vote for an investigation, the members of the Barren County Fiscal Court are standing by their decisions.
-
Park, students form partnership
Barren County Middle School and officials from Mammoth Cave National Park (MCNP) began a partnership in 2009 through a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, according to a district news release.
-
Cemetery dedication planned Sunday
On Sunday, a dedication ceremony culminating efforts of several concerned citizens who restored the cemetery will take place at 2 p.m. at the D.F. West Cemetery on Ky. 70 near Hiseville.
-
No swimming allowed at lake for Memorial Day
Don’t visit Barren River Lake this Memorial Day weekend and expect to go swimming.
- 2:10 AFTERNOON UPDATE: Hart Co. man arrested for trafficking
- 9:03 a.m. Morning Update: Glasgow firefighters and Barren-Metcalfe EMS respond to wreck with injuries
-
Late Night Update: Investigation continues regarding injured teen
Very little is known about the circumstances surrounding a 15-year-old Barren County boy who was found seriously injured and lying in a ditch alongside his bicycle on Dripping Springs Road late Monday night.
- More Local News Headlines
-
UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: Fatal wreck on Burkesville Road

