Hundreds attend candlelight vigil for Spc. Alex Missildine

Published 4:06 am Sunday, October 8, 2017

1. Friend told Spc. Missildine, of Tyler, ‘promise me you’ll come back’ before deployment
2. Navy midshipman, high school teacher and fellow bandmate from Tyler remember Spc. Alex Missildine’s honor, courage to serve his country
3. Tyler soldier based in Louisiana killed by IED in Iraq
4. Ultimate sacrifice vigil for Spc. Alex Missildine planned in downtown Tyler
5. Tyler welcomes home fallen soldier, Spc. Alexander Missildine
6. Friends and family lay Spc. Alex Missildine to rest

As the sun set and the moon rose over downtown Tyler, the tears of Gold Star Mother Robin Goodwin showed the pain and heartache of losing a son to a war far from home. 

Hundreds gathered at T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza shortly before sunset Saturday for a candlelight vigil in memory of her son, Spc. Alexander Missildine, a 20-year-old soldier killed in the line of duty Oct. 1. 

Missildine’s family pinned ribbons of red, white and blue with their young soldier’s Army photograph to their shirts. 

The ceremony opened with a prayer from pastor Doug Haning of Lone Star Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the raising then lowering of the flag to half-staff.

Alex’s friends and a cousin came to the podium to share their memories of the young man who was known for his good sense of humor. 

“The boy loved his midnight talks,” Keri Hall said. “He was full of snarky sarcastic comments. When he told me he was going to join the Army, I told him he joined the wrong branch because he cussed like a sailor.” 

Missildine’s high school friends spoke of their days in the Robert E. Lee High School marching band. They spoke of Missildine’s love of country music, how happy he was when he bought his first truck and when he got his first tattoo.  

As darkness fell on the square, candles were lit and a slideshow of photographs played on a large screen in the square. 

Missildine’s, father, Mike Missildine, and stepmother, Jodi, smiled through tears as the photographs of Alex flashed across the large screen. The couple sat in the front row among other family members as the crowd watched and grieved for the young Army soldier who grew up in Tyler. 

Laughter could be heard as Alex’s friends looked on, and the words “I remember” could be heard as the crowd talked softly while watching the photographs flash on and off the screen. 

Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith took to the podium and offered the closing prayer. 

“Is there anyone in this crowd that can make a commitment to pray for this family at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. every night for the next six months?” he asked. 

Hundreds of hands went up in response to Smith’s question. 

“Thank you for young men like Alex who choose to follow you,” Smith said. “Thank you for those who give their last full measure for the rest of us.”

Goodwin, known for her affectionate nature, greeted and hugged everyone who came up to her to offer condolences at the end of the ceremony. 

Missildine, a 2015 graduate of Lee, was killed by an improvised explosive device in Salah ad-Din Province Iraq on Oct. 1, just weeks after deploying overseas.

He was a motor transport operator assigned to the 710th Brigade Support Battalion, 10th Mountain Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team, out of Fort Polk, Louisiana.

The vice president of the East Texas Veteran Alliance, Frank De Luna, organized the vigil to honor Missidine’s service to the country and to honor his ultimate sacrifice. 

“It’s amazing how the community came together to honor Alex and his family,” he said. “As a veteran, myself, I wanted to do something to honor his service.” 

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Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story and photo cutline contained the incorrect name for Spc. Alex Missildine’s father, Mike Missildine.