Gaffney Soldier Critically Injured in Afghanistan

Gaffney Marine Wounded In Afghanistan Dies

20 year old Lance Corporal Chris Fowlkes, severely injured by an IED in Afghanistan on September 3, has died. Now, friends and family are remembering him. (more)

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Gaffney Soldier Critically Injured in Afghanistan

Russell Bradley

Twenty-year old Lance Cpl. Chris Fowlkes was critically injured when he and four others were involved in a firefight.

By Melissa Keeney and Staff
Published: September 03, 2009

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A spokesperson for the family of f Marine Lance Cpl. Chris Fowlkes says his body will arrive at GSP Wednesday at 3:00pm.
A full police escort will lead the procession North on I-85 to downtown Gaffney.
The family spokesperson says business owners and citizens have organized a sidewalk tribute. Hundreds of people will line both sides of Limestone Street as the procession makes its way through downtown, then north on Floyd Baker Boulevard to Blakely Funeral Home.
Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00- 9:00pm at Blakely.

Funeral is Friday at 4pm at First Baptist of Gaffney on Limestone Street, with full military burial to follow at Frederick Memorial Gardens on Hwy 11 across from Blakely.

On September 3, Fowlkes' family got the call they always feared. Chris and his company were hit by an IED in Afghanistan. Chris sustained severe injuries to his eyes, arms and legs. On Thursday morning, September 10, his family received word he lost his fight. "Chris has always been a fighter. We were just holding out hope he would be strong and keep fighting," says Turner.

Back home, she and others are clinging to faith, and saying a new prayer for those still serving. "9-11 is going to here again tomorrow and we remember the terror and feeling scared, but we've gotten secure in our soil again. The yellow ribbons have faded." With a ribbon over her heart, she says she'll now remember a lost son, and a cause that still goes on. "He'll forever live in us."