This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Spanish Fork • A parade in Spanish Fork featured a special tribute to a Utah soldier who was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan in May.
Friday evening's Western Heritage Parade included a rider-less horse that carried the boots and helmet of Spc. Cody Towse.
The 21-year-old Army combat medic from Elk Ridge was among four soldiers killed when an improvised explosive device detonated on May 14 in Sanjaray, Afghanistan. He was treating an injured soldier at the time.
During the parade, Towse's Army boots were turned backward in the stirrups and his helmet was perched atop the saddle.
The Utah County Sheriff's Mounted Posse organized the tribute after meeting with his parents, Jim and Jamie Towse.
Jim Towse told Provo's Daily Herald that fallen soldiers do not get enough attention and he thought the tribute was "really great."