Suzy Jones looked down and grimaced, then cried, as two men wheeled her son's walnut-colored casket in front of her, pushing it up a ramp and into the side doors of Lord-Bixler Funeral Home in Pottsville.

Other members of the Jones family did the same.Lined up in a single row, they couldn't hold back the tears.Seeking solace, they turned to each other and embraced, overcome with emotion.For the Jones family, of Orwigsburg and Pottsville, it was the worst nightmare come true a beloved son lost at war.Capt. Jason B. Jones, 29, a Green Beret, was killed June 2 in Afghanistan, the victim of small-arms fire. The case is still under investigation.A graduate of Blue Mountain High School and the U.S. Military Academy, Jones was described by his mother as "Captain America," a determined man who yearned to pursue a military career ever since age 7 when he watched the movie "Top Gun."Hearts were heavy when the black Cadillac hearse carrying the body of Jones, escorted by a caravan of supporters, left Dover Air Force Base at 8 a.m. Wednesday.There were a few minor delays, with the procession encountering inclement weather and construction zones along the way.In Schuylkill County, the procession was augmented by flag-decorated Corvettes and fire apparatus representing a wide region.There was no reason to rush. The entourage took its time, exiting Route 61 in order to make a brief stop in Orwigsburg, Jones' hometown. There, close to 1,000 were on hand to wave flags and shout "USA, USA."The hearse proceeded to Pottsville, escorted by both military and civilian honor guards, along with a parade of veterans and bikers.At 12:52 p.m., the vehicle with Delaware plates pulled into the parking lot at 1818 Mahantongo St.Undeterred by steady drizzle, more than 120 supporters lined the streets and waved American flags to pay respects to the war hero. Many expressed sorrow over the loss. The overriding concern was for the family."They are my attorneys," Lynne Stiltner of Pottsville said. "They were so proud of him."Stiltner went to high school with Joseph "Jay" Jones, father of Jason."This is sad," Diane Miller of Pottsville said, standing with Theresa Grigalonis, Minersville.Many said they made a point to stand and wait, regardless of rain, simply out of respect for a life lost in service to our country."We don't know him or his family," Dana Oravitz said.With school being out for summer, the Frackville mother brought along her children, Bobby, Noah and Anna. Oravitz wanted the youngsters to better understand the significance of the day."We play a lot of Army video games," Oravitz said. "I want them to understand that this is real life."The family waved American flags as the procession passed by.The entourage included Pennsylvania State Police, 40 bikers with the Patriot Guard Riders, one dozen flag-decorated Corvettes, three pieces of firefighting apparatus from Deer Lake, West Brunswick Township; an engine from Landingville Community Fire Company, another from Good Intent Fire Company, Llewellyn and a West Penn Township fire police vehicle.The drizzle and wind seemed to pick up just as the casket was lifted from the hearse. American flags flapped strongly in the breeze. Some onlookers opened umbrellas.Then, a short distance away, came the unexpected blare of a trumpet.Standing at the end of the block, across the street, was musician Denny Hardock of Pottsville.Hardock, a real estate agent by trade, showed up on his own; nobody knew he was coming. He said he simply was compelled to be there."I just felt I wanted to do something," Hardock explained."I don't know. I didn't want to be disrespectful in any way. But I needed to do something here."As the casket was placed on a gold carrier, Hardock standing out of sight took his trumpet in hand and rendered "God Bless America" in slow, deliberate, dulcet tones. The wailing of the horn, muffled by heavy, moist air, prompted spectators to remove their hats.Many in the crowd reached for tissues.The Jones family turned and followed the casket into the funeral home, where preparations were made for burial at West Point, N.Y.