With yellow ribbons tied around trees lining the streets of Porter and Chesterton and flags flying at half-mast, United States Army Specialist James (Jim) Butz of Porter Indiana, came home to rest on October 8, 2011.
Butz returned home today with a hero's procession through the Town of Porter then the Town of Chesterton. It was a full police procession with police departments from Valparaiso, Porter, Chesterton, and Hebron, along with local fire departments. There was a reverential silence as the procession drove along the streets.
Many of Butz's family and friends came out to view the procession and show their respect as well as many veterans and people from his hometown.
U.S. Army SPC James Butz was born July 26, 1990 in Valparaiso. He lost his life in Afghanistan while rushing to provide medical assistance to fellow service men who had been wounded.
As Butz's body was driven past the Porter Volunteer Fire Department, where he had been a volunteer, the marquee read, "In Honor of Our Hometown Hero Jim Butz We Will Never Forget." Fellow firefighters saluted as he passed by. Butz was then driven past his home, in his hometown of Porter, before reaching the White-Love Funeral Home in Chesterton.
Marine Jason Cales, who served from 1994 until 2000, came out to the Porter Fire Department to show honor and respect for the fallen soldier. Cales said, "This is a great thing the town is doing, and it is great that so many came out for him."
So many came out to the Porter Volunteer Fire Department, where Butz was a volunteer, as well as local volunteer firefighters. From the Burns Harbor Fire Department, Chief Bill Arney, Assistant Chief Cliff Hayes, Lieutenant Ryan Nowacki, Captain Kevin Sowash, Firefighter Jamie Otto, Firefighter Robert Wesley and Firefighter Brad Tyskiewicz all attended. Attending from the Porter Fire Department were Captain Dan Branham and Firefighter Ryan Crist.
Others who Butz served with from the Porter Fire Department were in the procession, paying homage to their fellow firefighter and fallen soldier. Captain Branham said, "Jim was a good kid, he was all about wanting to help. He was hard working and eager to learn, but there came a time when he wanted to join the Army and we all supported his decision."
Porter Town Council Member Dave Babcock said, "I go to all the football games and remember Jim playing" Butz was on the Chesterton High School football team. Babcock added, "I think it's the least that we can do for the young man from our town that gave his life for our country."
Visitation for U.S. Army SPC James Butz will be held Monday, October 10 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church located at 2050 W. 1100 N. in Chesterton from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, October 11 at 11:00 a.m. Internment at the Chesterton Cemetery.
The family prefers that memorial gifts made in honor of Jim be made as a donation to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.