Funeral for soldier, 23, killed in Afghan attack
An urn containing the ashes of Pfc. Thomas Allers, of Plainwell, Mich., at right, an American flag from the US Army and a photo of Allers are displayed at the center of the stage in the Plainwell High School auditorium during Allers' funeral service Thursday, June 9, 2011. Allers was killed by an IED in Afghanistan in May. (AP Photo/Kalamazoo Gazette, Scott Harmsen)
U>S> Army Spc. Nathan D. Moran, left, Blaine Hunter, 5, center, and Nathanial Hunter, 8, center, salute as the funeral procession for Pfc. Thomas Allers of Plainwell, Michigan, passes through downtown Plainwell Thursday, June 9, 2011. Allers was killed by an IED in Afghanistan in May. Blaine and Nathanial's father, Michael Hunter, is currently deployed in Kuwait. (AP Photo/Kalamazoo Gazette, Jonathon Gruenke)
Major General Yves Fontaine presents an American flag to Denise and Lance Allers, parents of Pfc Thomas Allers, 23, of Plainwell, Michigan, at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan. during Allers' funeral. Allers was killed by an IED in Afghanistan in May. (AP Photo/Kalamazoo Gazette, Mark Bugnaski)
AUGUSTA, Mich. — Family, friends and supporters have paid their final respects to a 23-year-old Army private from western Michigan who was killed in an insurgent attack in Afghanistan.
Private Thomas Allers of Plainwell was buried Thursday at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta. The Kalamazoo Gazette says about 35 people were on hand.
Earlier in the day, about 250 people gathered at Plainwell High School for a funeral, during which schools Superintendent Sue Wakefield and others spoke.
Gov. Rick Snyder ordered U.S. flags statewide to be lowered to half-staff Thursday.
Allers and three comrades were killed May 23 by an improvised explosive device. They were part of a unit based at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.
Allers was the only child of Denise and Lance Allers.
