Ottumwa Lays One Of Its’ Sons To Rest

Staff Sgt. Joseph J. Hamski's mass was held at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church in Ottumwa

Ottumwa, Iowa- The Residents of Ottumwa were out by the hundreds on Saturday to pay final respects to U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph J. Hamski. Hamski, 28 is survived by his wife, Air Force Staff Sgt. Maria Christina Hamski.

Hamski’s mass was held at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church in Ottumwa. When his casket exited the church, the crowd and city seemed to go quiet. Still fell over those around, only the sounds of car doors could be heard, as family and friends got into their cars to make the trip to Ottumwa Cemetery.

Patriot Guard Riders were along every step of the way in helping to honor Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph J. Hamski

Once the procession started, the thunder of dozens and dozens of motorcycles belonging to the Patriot Guard riders filled the air as they escorted the Hamski to his final resting place.

Along the way, hundreds of people lined the street to pay respects to not only to their fallen hero, but also to his family. Flags were seen in the hand of nearly everyone that lined the street.

Hamski attended Ottumwa High School, graduating in 2001. According to the Department of Defense, Hamski died May 26 in the Shorabak district of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.