Fans, I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live and whosoever believeth liveth and believeth in me shall never die for. I know that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh, shall I see God whom I shall see for myself and my eyes will behold and not another. We brought nothing into this world and it is certain that we can carry nothing out the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away bless be the name of the Lord. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want he maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still water. He restoreth my soul. He leads me in the path of righteousness for his name's sake. Yeah, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Thou known is my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. See I on the, your voice is in here. Grand. Come on, fill this space with worship. Come on, come on, come on, come on, worship Him. Come on know the power of being thankful, not just when things are going well, but when things don't make sense, if you would join me and just giving God an amazing hand. Clap of praise for the life of our brother, senior airman, Roger Fortson. Come on, put your hands together and celebrate this king in the earth realm. Come on. Don't stop clapping. A mother can't do it right now. So we're standing in her stand. Come on, don't stop clapping until God hears you. He gave us a life and for the life he gave, we, we give him glory. Now do me a favor for the mother of Roger Fortson, who we are standing in the gap on her behalf. If you would just praise God for the strength to walk down the aisle, let's put our hands together and celebrate misfortune in this moment. Come on, this family celebrate her. She's one of our own. We love her. We are grateful for her and we are here to support her. You may be seated. We are here for the opportunity to celebrate the life of a king. We don't understand it all, but we're grateful for his life today. He's so important that all over the world, this is being live streamed with military personnel in every space. He literally put the military on hold to watch his life and for what is being streamed. And everybody watching across the world, please put your hands together and celebrate his life, his legacy and everything that he's represented. We are going to flow as the program is outlined, we're gonna operate in decency. And in order on this morning, uh we will have a scripture reading uh Old Testament by Pastor Claudia Knight, the Atlanta Metro seventh day at Venice Church, followed by a New Testament by our very own pastor Ky Turner. We will have a prayer of comfort by Pastor Kyli lemons. And then we will come back with a musical selection from our praise team. Please put your hands together and celebrate the God of our salvation. I was asked to give a brief word of comfort on behalf of my church and mother Taylor, the great grandmother of Roger. I'm here representing Atlanta Metro Seventh Avenue Church. My name is Ella Claudia Knight and our pastor, Pastor Cody Page is here and I'm representing mother. I know this family well and they know me well. But more than that I am here to give condolences and give a word of comfort from the Holy Spirit. Amen. Because at the end of the day, when all of this is over, that's gonna be a mother without a son. And uh nothing we do can do change that circumstance. But I thank God, we were singing about everlasting life. I thank God that there is a God with everlasting life. I thank God that he's gonna be the comforter. He said, the holy ghost is a comforter and he has already come. He's already come and he's gonna stand by me because he's gonna stand by you mother. I know that this is, this is, this is a hard thing and we say this should not have happened and we all know it should not have happened. But I wanna tell you something for all the mothers that have lost sons have lost daughters, whether it's to police or whether it's the fentaNYL. God is not happy with any of those deaths. That was not his plan for us. Something happened along the way. But I thank God that Jesus Christ came to make it right. He's gonna bring justice to this. And I thank God for, for attorney Crump who has been on a Star war and a warrior for this. But I'll tell you what, one day just like Martin Luther King, he's not gonna be here. We gotta have something to go on with. Amen. We're gonna have to have something to go forth with. So I love this scripture and it's one of mother's favorite scriptures. And I just wanna read it. And I wanna encourage you all. I wanna encourage you. I wanna say one thing that these kind of happenings is not human, this is demonic. There's gotta be a demon ruling that would do this kind of thing. And the people of God, we have the weapon and he says our enemy is not flesh and blood, but it is spiritual. And he said we have the power to cast out demons. And I, I wish somebody here today would say, I'm gonna be that one just like they call the best. When they call uh Mr Crump, I want him to call my name. When somebody needs somebody to encourage, I want God to call my name when somebody has a demon that needs to be destroyed in the name of Jesus Isaiah 41 verse 29 and 31. In the King James version, it says, he giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might. He increases strength. And then he says, but they, that wait upon the Lord and we've been waiting upon the Lord. He says, we shall renew our strength, we shall mount up with wings as eagles. We're gonna run and we're not gonna be weary, we're gonna walk and we're not gonna faint and mother, I know you. This is what you're saying to your family today. And I'm saying it to new birth. And whoever is saying in verse in chapter 41 verse 10, it says fear thou not for I am with you, be not dismayed because I am your God. Hallelujah. I will strengthen you mother, I will uphold you. I will help you and I will strengthen you with my mighty right hand. And I thank God for Jesus today and I thank him for the holy ghost is the comforter and he has come and he has come to stay. God bless you all. Hallelujah. Our prayers to you mother and the entire family. The word of the Lord reads in Romans eight and 35. It says who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword. 37 says no, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Amen. Let us pray, fathering in this moment of deep sorrow, an unimaginable loss. We come before you with heavy hearts, seeking your strength that only you can provide. We gather here today to mourn the tragic loss of your beloved son and to surround this grieving family with our love and support. We pray for this family, dear Lord. As they navigate through the depths of this particular pain. May your comforting presence be felt in every moment of their grief, providing them with the reassurance that they are not alone in this journey, grant them dear father, the courage to face each day, knowing that grief does not have an expiration date and you are with them, your rod and your staff, comfort them, hold them up. Lord, let your word be true. You are the lifter of the bow down head. Let your word be true. When our heart is overwhelmed, lead us to the rock which is higher than I Lord. We don't have answers. So we come to you Holy Spirit, comfort them only like you can in Jesus name. Amen. We understand that we wouldn't be here today without God. So we can have confidence in the declaration then no, now and down, I would have lost it. All us them. I was I, you know, yes with, I would have gave up. But I think God you brought Mr, I mean to know without God, you wouldn't have made it and it wouldn't be possible to even be here. We're so grateful for the gift of ministry through song. At this moment. We want to be able to have some reflections because this young man has impacted so many people. I am asking and out of respect for the mother's request. And as we go through these reflections, you've heard it said in funerals over and over again and it is a point of laughter, but we want to take it serious knowing that she's having to sit through this moment. So I'm asking that we have two minutes uh for reflections when you get close to the two minutes. If you forget that moment, you'll hear some Oscar like music and we will ask you to start wrapping up so that we can make sure we respect the request and the wishes of the mother. Amen. Uh We want to welcome Commander Air Force Special Operations Command, Lieutenant General Tony Bin and Commander First Special Operations Wing Patrick Dire. They will open up our reflections followed by Doctor Lakesha Walker, former principal of Magnair High School Dekalb County. Immediately following the reflections, we will have a selection and I will come back to walk us through the remainder of the service. For these distin distinguished uh leaders and military um representatives. Please put your hands together and welcome them to the podium. I let you go first. Thank you for the opportunity to honor a great young man to all of senior Mon Fort's family and friends. Your Air Force family is grieving with you. I'm Colonel Patrick Deri, the commander of First Special Operations Wing Herbert Field Florida. I have the privilege of leading a group of great Americans like senior Herman Fortin, a man of honor, amount of integrity, a man of courage. As you can see, as you can see from the S A Air Force blue. I'm not alone in my admiration, obscene in fortune for us. Senior airman for center had three amazing traits, the airman, the man and his legacy, Senior and Fortson live the Air Force Corps values service, integrity excellence, not because of anything we taught him. But because of you, he was living those values before we met him. Because of how you raised him. We would love to take credit for making him great. But the truth is he was great before he came to us, the air force, we merely polished a diamond that you forged. Senior Fortson was a combat veteran. He answered the nation's call to take the fight to our enemies over the skies of Iraq, Syria. He took part in special operations mission, taking care of us national security impact and for the efforts, he was awarded the air medal with a combat device in 2023. He was a member of a rare team, the ac 130 gunship community and many of his squadron mates from the 73rd special operations squadron and the fourth special operations squadron. They're here with us today. And I'll tell you, we all loved having senior airman Fortson on our team. It takes an incredible person to be an air commando and to make it one of our squadrons, you've got to be the best. No shortcuts, no excuses, no fail. We only accept high standards, determination to execute our mission anytime anyplace. And I'll tell you, Senior Herman Fortson answered the call of duty. He excelled with honor, professionalism, confidence beyond his flying and combat accolades. He was a great person. And if you want to be a great airman, be a great person, Senior Fortson did just that I, I first met Senior arm for a after I arrived at the, at the base as a wing commander and I tried to sneak quietly into my old squadron, his squadron, the fourth S OS where he happened to be at the door and four words were spoken. We, we locked eyes and he has, he had that infectious smile and he welcomed me back home without, without a word spoken. And that was Roger kind confident, a smile that can light up the room. Yes. Air commandos wanted him on the team, not only because he was a great air commando and a great aviator, but because he was a great person and we're eternally grateful for him. We're great. He was grateful for his family. He was grateful for the opportunities that the Air Force provided and he did not take anything for granted. When some avoided responsibility, he raised his hand and he served others. And when some sought personal gains, he chose a life of selflessness that we admire in the air force. Nothing can bring him back that I'm going to say. But he will live in our air force hearts forever. He was a man of honor. He rose above the noise above division or indifference and he chose to serve the nation during a time of conflict. He served with honor, passion and he defended the persecuted overseas. He was a warrior with a kind heart for those who have been to Washington DC. Many of us have have been stationed up there, but we enjoy walking through the monuments and memorials through town, especially at night. And one of the best locations at night is a memorial to Dr King. And on that granite memorial, it says out of the mountain of despair is a stone of hope. Out of a mountain of despair is a stone of hope senior and for is a stone of hope. His Air Force legacy, his Air Force legacy is a stone of hope. He inspired us. He will continue to inspire us. And now we all have to be stones of hope to, to take care of one another. We will be a better because of him. I will be a better airman. We will be better airmen because of senior Herman Fortson. He was respected as an airman. He was loved as a person and we will never forget him. Thank you to the Fortson family on behalf of 21,750 air commandos throughout the globe, defending our great nation. We are grieving with you. We are grieving with you. I am so proud of what our command delivers to defend our great nation every single day. And senior airman Fortson was on the front lines defending our nation in Afsa. We are proud of our heritage. We are proud of our current team and the thousands that went before us. And we have a saying that we are successful today because we stand on the shoulders of giants who have paved the way for us to ensure our nation's security. Unfortunately, senior Herman Fortson was taken to us, taken away from us too soon and we are grieving because of that loss. But know as we move forward, that senior Herman Fortson will always be in our lives. He will always be in our hearts because he is now one of those giants on which the shoulders we stand and protect our nation. Please know that we are here with you, that we are grieving alongside of you. And our effort is to ensure that we will always be here for the Fortson family. Thank you. Hi, I am Doctor Lakesha Walker, former principal of Doctor Ronald E mcnair High School. As the principal, I was there a long time. That means two things. One, I'm not old, although I say a long time, two, I've had the opportunity to be in the mcnair community actually, since before I was a principal and I've had the opportunity to get to know many of the students and their families and the Fort and family was one of them. So we go way back. So I just want to speak a few words about Roger. He was one of our gifted students at Doctor Ronald E Magner High School. He didn't always act gifted. He acted like an annoying teenage boy sometimes, but he was definitely a joy and I don't have to hallucinate things to say about him because the things that I can say about him are genuine. He was an amazing young man. He didn't always put his best book forward, but that's because he was so intelligent. He didn't have to. But I do believe that he found his niche once. He took the as Fab and scored an amazing score on the as Fab. He was able to figure out exactly what it was he wanted to do. And although I can say as his principal that I was proud of him as a student and the things that he accomplished during that time, and I know he made his mom proud. And when I tell you, she loves herself some Roger and, but what I can say even more is that she was proud of the man that he became. And so for all of the young people that's in here today, your journey really is just beginning, find something that you will love to do and do it well and make your family proud. I know Roger made you proud. He definitely made Doctor Ronald E made their high school proud. He made me proud. And Andre you got some work to do, but I will end with this. There's a song that we sing in church and it says that life is filled with swift transition and many people can, can quote that things may change. But there's one thing that will stay the same. And that's the love and affection and most important the connection that we have with God. So make sure that you hold on to God's unchanging hand. Amen. Because we serve Jehovah Rapha. We serve the Lord who was our healer, any worshipers in here that are just grateful that you serve the Lord and he's a healer. He's here to comfort all of our souls, all of our spirits. And we just wanna encourage you this afternoon that there's healing for your sorrow. We bless you Lord. Thank you Jesus song just says this don't be discouraged. That's because joy comes in the morning. No. Oh, you have to and know that God. Let's do it. No. Oh It is going to is thank you. Come on, put your hands together the blessing. Roger Fortun's life. Is that right now on a Friday all over the world? People are hearing all about the healer of our souls. God is going forth literally all over the world simply because of the life of this young king. Let's put our hands together and celebrate our holy God. This segment is reflections from family and friends. If you would, as I call your name, come to my right, your left coach Marcus Salter, the twins, Brita and Rakita Fortson, along with Alexis Brewer Hassan Miles, still requesting uh the two minute time frame. Also right after reflections, we'll have a mother's prayer by the legendary attorney Ben Crump and immediately following him, words of encouragement from the one and only Reverend Al Sharpton of the National Action Network. For these reflections and for this segment of the program, please put your hands together and celebrate the family and the friends. Good morning, everyone. My name is Marcus Salter. And I had the incredible honor of being Rogers baseball coach at Dr Ronald E mcnair High School. I remember Roger as a freshman, a little chip tooth goofy skinny kid who could run but couldn't hit, could barely catch. He just wanted to have fun, but however, through commitment and hard work and consistent practice, Roger transformed not just as an athlete but as a person by his senior year, Roger had become a leader on our team. He was instrumental in guiding us to our first state playoff birth. In over 20 years. He understood his role of controlling the outfield and unselfishly bunting to get on base, embodying the true spirit of teamwork. Roger's selflessness and dedication were evident in every game he played. He put the team's success above his own, demonstrating a level of maturity and heart that inspired everyone around him. I also had the privilege of seeing Roger a few years later as a clean cut, well fed, tall and proud man. I was amazed at the conversations this young man had his thoughts, his goals and mindset were all focused on success and personal growth. Roger viewed fun differently and was striving for a life of purpose. I want to take time to personally thank the Air Force for continuing the work that his mother and family started helping Roger grow into the man that he became to his mother. I can only imagine the depth of your loss. My faith assures me that Roger fulfilled his purpose. And I know that I and many others are a testament to the lives he touched. When my nephew received an offer to join the naval academy, I immediately contacted Roger. Why? Because I trusted him, I wanted him to help guide my nephew because I saw the man he became that conversation led to my nephew early committing in a decision to become a pilot, a single conversation changed the life. And for that, I am forever grateful mom, I love you. And I always just one call away. As I wrote this, I experienced a wealth of emotions, grief, anger, sorrow, disbelief, denial, but the one that stood out was a broken heart and that broken heart to me represented love. And I notice as you sit here today along with many others, you feel these emotions as well. But please hold tight to love and the memories of love because that's what will keep you whole. Roger was full of love. And that member, that memory I will forever hold in my heart. And mom, thank you for allowing me to have one final talk with my player who became my friend. Thank you. Hey, everybody first. I'm gonna say Justice for Roger. I, I will never forgive y'all for what y'all did to my baby cousin. II, I can't um I wanna say my little cousin like my little brother. How do we supposed to move on? Someone so sweet and chill. Never bother anybody. Never been in trouble with the law, serve this country and get taken away from us for what? Sleep and glory baby cousin. I will never forget you. My love. I'm so sad to say my goodbyes. To be honest, you took a huge part of my heart and mine with you. I wish we got to have more conversations the older we got, but we knew it was love regardless even the conversations at grandma house at events or even if you just came over when I was there, I will forever cherish every moment with you. I miss you so much, man. It's not fair. I feel like I'm living in a nightmare. Like did I go to sleep and wake up in hell? But honestly, I have to think about the heaven. So instead of worrying about the pain of losing you, I will start remembering the great things about you and that is you were a king. I love everything about you. I love how you love your mom and siblings. You were strong hearted Anna Aries. He'll, he'll give you to. Thank God quick if you're doing too much. And I would ignore you on purpose. Sometimes you were my little brother. I feel guilty to even smile while you're not here. The pain hurts so bad. It steals my smile. My auntie to my auntie, let me tell you about my auntie. My auntie was my second mama. She was her and my auntie Barbara were the two people that I felt safe around. I could tell them anything. My aunties let us be ourselves to a certain extent. My auntie kept us in church. She we joined the dance choir, the dance team, the choir, the step team. We went to church every New Year's. My auntie Mika helped my mom with my prom and my graduation. She would even mail our father our letters and pictures that we would draw from him and paint for him. My auntie, I cannot imagine how you feel right now. I am completely heartbroken for you. Honestly, I am truly sad and for you, I would never wish this kind of pain on any on anyone. Um But I wrote a poem, Auntie. So hopefully this heals a little pain. Dear mama to my dearest mother, hear my voice though I've passed, I still rejoice in every breath and in every prayer know that I'm always there. You cradle me with the love. So true, nurture me and all I do. You laugh the ring, your tears did fall your love, the greatest of them all in your arms. I found my peace in your love. All trouble ceased though. I've journeyed to the other side. My love for you still abides. I see you weep and I feel your pain. But in your heart, I always rain for every beat, every sigh. I'm with you mother, by and by through, every moment, every day and every step along the way, I'll walk beside you and hold your hand in every sunset in every strand. So draw your tears, my dear mother. For in our love, there's no other together. Still throw wars apart forever entwined and heart to heart. Until we meet again. My dear. Know that I'm always near and, and whisper soft and dream so true. I'll be with you forever, through and through. Ok? I can't say this. I'm there in the depths of my heart. Stitch fine lies the love for my cousin that is so divine from childhood days of mischief and grief and glee to the present where memories still dance free in the skies. You roam wild and free chasing dreams because it's you. I wanna see with laughter as our compass, as we fly free in every secret you to share in every adventure. Boldly dared your smile a beacon in the dark, guiding us home. You are our spark through ups and downs. We've journeyed far. Always remember us wherever you are no distance, condemn the love I have for you. I deeply wish you were here because we need you as time unravels. It's in this thread. I'll treasure the memories in my head. For, in your laughter, in your embrace, we find a home, our sacred place. So here's to you, my little cousin, dear in my heart. You will always be near forever bound by my love. Sweet t underneath the, in the skies, in whispers, secrets and dreams untold. Your laughter warms me pure as gold. No time may pass and miles divide in our hearts. You forever reside for love. You share. No distance can sever my precious little cousin, my joy forever. Mhm. Ok. No. Hello. I have one more thing to say for my people out here, November. Y'all need to go and vote because they're trying to take away all our lives. Go and vote. Tell your kids to vote, tell the young generation to vote. OK. Love y'all kids. Hug your kids. Hello, everyone. I, what you doing? Excuse me. My name is Hassan Miles were the ones that don't know me. Um, me and his mom, Mika uh had our own relationship for years on top of years. Uh Excuse me. And I was granted the opportunity to, to encounter Roger for us on the exception of where a young man. Um My whole thing was to keep him out of the streets even though I was, even though I wasn't a saint myself, I wasn't practicing what I was preaching what I was just trying to make sure Roger won't make his mom happy. Oh I'll be with me. It's hard. Uh Roger wasn't my son but he was like my son. I know I always to ask them, you know I just take him to school. I have to ask him man, how you planning on graduating man? You just got a pol behind you. He said don't worry about it man. I got this and I said ok, alright bro and lo and behold we had and one thing I can say me, I'm at lodging, unconditional love you. That was your I was like your father, your husband like and to me it was like a son that I never had like a good son. I never had. I just thank God you Mika, you Roger. Forgive me an opportunity to share time with regard. I have make an impact in his life so well he can become a product of his environment. He beat all the odds, he beat all the odds and I feel good about it because I thought I was beating a dead horse and talking to a big wall. But he listened to me and I did my job. Oh Roger, you see I did love in this room, brother. We love you man. Never be forgotten. Ok? Um For those who don't know, I'm Roger's big sister Raven. Um And I just want y'all to know. I thought Roger was the coolest person in the world. I used to just watch him how he would talk with his accent and that smile, I was so proud of my brother. And um he was so humble, but every now and then he would tell you who he was. He didn't tell you what he did. He'll let you know and like me as a big sister. I used to be like, ok, but you're still a baby. You know, because he was talk like he was just the grown man like he had just lived so much life. But he did like at 23 years old, my brother did more than men, 5060 years old. And eh you know, he had every right to be that proud of who he was. I was proud of who he was. I love to hear him talk like that. You know, I tell anybody about my brother, I used to brag about him all the time and I still am. I'm never gonna shut up talking about Roger about who he was the kind of man he was. And I, I just hope nobody else in this room does either because he was supposed to have a million more accomplishments. He was supposed to call and brag about a million more things and do so much more. And um you know, like just as devastating as this is, we gotta make him proud now. We, he gotta watch us and see us and you know, cause he looking down on us, he looking down on me, he's looking at my dad on Mika or harmony or Andre or Isaac Demetri is everybody. He's watching us. And um even in this moment, like I'm trying not to cry because I know Roger would crack a joke, he would say something to try and make everybody in here laugh. He didn't like people being down or being sad. Um And so that's just who he was and I just wanted to tell y'all that about my brother. I love you Roger and I'm gonna miss you. I miss you so much. Mm Thank you. Hello, everyone. Um I'm Alexis Brewer. Um I've been thinking about all week what to say about Roger. It's just so much to say about him and all I can do is just reminisce on like his laugh. I can still hear his voice in my ear. Um I can't even say Roger was. Roger was like he is and he still is. Yeah. Oh I was blessed to have the opportunity to watch Roger to become or become a great man from a wonderful boy. Roger was always so smart, too smart. Sometimes he'll make you feel stupid if you really don't. Oh Just laughing, joking around. Always been about family. Always been about Mika. Mika. You did your big one with this one, Roger. He's not a different breed, but he's a special breed. You don't, you don't come, you don't come across too many people like Roger I've never seen Roger get in trouble. Maybe first that never walk. He was just great all around. And I've had the opportunity especially when he was younger to take Raja under my wing. And it was always a good time, intelligent conversations. He was just, he was just a joy. You know, if he was, if you was mad at Roger or didn't like Roger, you was just mad at life because he was full of it. He was full of life full of joy. Never a dull moment. Always finding the posit the positivity in a bad situation. And I just, I honestly just can't accept this. Like it's just, it hadn't hit me. It doesn't feel real. I just, I feel we shouldn't be here right now today at all. No, we shouldn't be here. Not for him. Like he's supposed to be somewhere overseas, somewhere, texting in the group chat, sending the Robux to the girls. You know, it's just hard and you know, sometimes people say it'll be OK, it'll be OK. Nothing about this is ok and all we can do is pray for better days. You know, I pray that the, the good, joyful days outweigh all the bad, sad ones cause they gonna come and I just hope that it's, it's way less than the good ones. You know, we're gonna continue to celebrate Roger because if he was here, he is here, he would want us to have a good time. And we're gonna do that for him. We're gonna always honor him. I always think about them. We still joke around with them now. No. Um Roger is the little brother. I never had. I always looked out for him and I, I really, really, I really love Roger. Mia. I love you. No, I ain't going nowhere. I won't go nowhere and um bit Roger, I send my condolences out to you as well. Um This is the worst pain anybody could experience. I don't care who you are losing a child is the worst type of pain and I just, I just don't know. Um I love everybody and you know, when it's your time, you never know when it's gonna come. This is a, a prime example like you just never know even when you're not doing anything and just always cherish and don't let family conflict get in the way cause you just never know when it's gonna be the last time. Um But I'm gonna wrap it up Roger. I love you the little Mexican and uh I love everybody else and I appreciate everybody coming out to support the family. Um If there's any way to go out, um I would rather go out like him with honor, love like it. Service can't be no better than this, especially for someone who really, really deserved it and he does, he deserves the best and he gonna get nothing but the best. All right. Yeah. Say his name, say his name, say his name. I'm Attorney Ben Crump. And along with Attorney Natalie Jackson, Attorney Brian Barr, Attorney Kevin Edwards, Attorney Lashanda Council Rogers attorney Britney Baus, Attorney Precious Chavez. We have the honor of representing his mother, Mika Fortson, as well as his father, Roger Wilburn and the family of Roger Fortson. And in this mother's prayer, I would first like to acknowledge when we got the call and Mika never let me forget that her Pastor Jamal Bryant of new birth missionary Baptist church, the shepherd of this flock was the first person she called and they called through the night till they got me. And it is profound how she said, even though pastor Jamal Bryant was there in college, getting his daughter from college, he stopped everything he was doing, taking care of his family to help her with her family because he loves his new birth missionary Baptist church family and just like he did with Trayvon and Brianna Botham Gene Terence Crutcher George Floyd, how he stood for them. We knew he was gonna stand up for his family member, Roger Folson. So first we want to say thank you pastor Jamal Bryant and the new birth missionary Baptist church family. And then Mia has told us every press conference. Uh Attorney Jackson, who's also a veteran. She said, Attorney Crump, I want us to always thank his military family because they have been here for us like you wouldn't believe so. We were like all members of the military, active and non active members to please stand so we can honor Mika Force's prayer to thank the military every day we stand up for Roger Folson. He was not just our family member, but he was your family member. Yeah. And then Mika has been so very consistent and every press conference, every meeting and what she told me us that night, Attorney Jackson, Reverend Bryant, she said, Attorney Crump, don't let them stain my baby's reputation, don't let them stain my baby's reputation. And I know I'm preaching to the choir, but the world needs to know. She said yesterday at the press conference right here at new birth that Roger was like, there would not be a stain on his name. He will not be put to rest in darkness because he was a bright light. And Mika said no stain on his reputation. Attorney Crump, you have to no matter what they say. She said they had the wrong apartment. My baby wouldn't have had no domestic dispute. That's not who Roger Fortson was. I mean, she said there is no way. She said they cannot have that be the narrative as he leaves this world. No, he was in his apartment by himself, Facetiming with his girlfriend and the only other person, the only other creature there was his dog Chloe who he loved so much. And she said they said it was a domestic dispute between a male and a female. So they had to have the wrong apartment. She said you got to tell him every time Attorney Crump, they can't stain his reputation like this, they can't do it. And she, she said, then Reverend Bryant, you know, talking with you and Reverend al about this, this self-defense that they killed him in self defense. She said Roger wasn't doing anything wrong, he wasn't committing no crime. The police would not have had to kill him in self-defense. So she said, you know, I don't even understand how you can say self-defense. That was Roger's home. I mean, he was in the sanctity of his own apartment if we can't be safe in the sanctity of our home, where can we be safe at? Where can we be safe at? Brothers and sisters? And so that's what Miss Mika was talking about that we can't let them stain the reputation because not only was he an outstanding member of the armed forces? Not only was he a outstanding son to Mika and Roger. Not only was he a outstanding sibling to his brothers and sisters? Not only was he a proud member of the East Pineapple apartment complex. He was the best from East Atlanta. He was the best from Atlanta, Georgia. He was the best from the state of Georgia. He was the best from America. He was one of the best this world had to offer. And that's why we can't let them stain his reputation. We cannot let them do that. She, she reminded us over and over again. And you heard his little sister harmony yesterday at the press conference? Talk about how special he was, how he saved money to take her to her first theme park. How, when he was in Kuwait serving our country, he would doordash food home to his little brothers and sisters. If they said they were hungry, that's the special person he was. That's why they can't have a stain on his reputation. That's why we got to honor Mika's request. All of us when they try to say this narrative that it was justified and killing him this way, we got to say no, we will not let that lie stand, we will stand on the truth. And the truth was that Roger F was the best of us. He was the very best America had to offer the world. He was an American patriot and we have to remember him as such. Doctor Martin Luther King said that the coward will ask the question. Is it safe? Then he said, expediency. We asked the question, if it's politically correct. Then he said, oh, Vanity comes along and asked the question. Is it popular? But then Dr King said, conscience, conscience comes along and asks the question, is it right? And Doctor King said, there comes a time when one must take a position that's neither popular nor politically correct or not even safe. But Doctor King said there comes a time when one must take a position because it is the right thing to do. I submit to you brothers and sisters. It is the right thing to do that. We stand up for justice for Roger Folson. It is the right to do that. We speak up for justice for Roger Folson. It is the right thing to do that. We fight for justice for Roger Folson. We fight for the dignity of Roger Folson. We fight for the respect of Roger Folson. We fight for the humanity of Roger Folson because Roger Fason was the best of us and Micah Fawson, we will never let them stain his reputation. Not today, not tomorrow, not forever. We will remember him as the true American patriot that he was God bless you, Mika God bless you, Roger. We will always honor and exalt your child, our American patriot, senior airman, Roger Folson. Hi, I'm Reverend Al Shop president of National Action Network. Let me say at the outset that my prayers and sincere condolences go to the family of Roger Fortson. It is they that will have to bear this pain, this gap in their soul that will never be filled because of the loss of their son, their brother, their cousin, their nephew, their loved ones to many of us. It is an issue to them. It is personal and let us not go ahead of the family and leave them in the backdrop of our activism. But in the forefront of how human lives are valuable and should not be expendable under any circumstances. Here is a young man in the military, serving his country in his own home, killed by law enforcement that is paid to protect him. You couldn't have gotten a better picture perfect person as an example of how you do not go over the line and violate the law and violate human rights and human dignity than Roger. Roger was a symbol of what is the best in our community. His family produced something that we as parents and grandparents dream of and he was taken away because some law enforcement person felt that he could behave in a deadly manner against Roger that I would suggest he would not do in another community. I wanted to be there with you the day I talked to uh my friend and brother, one of the most esteemed pastors and preachers in this country. Reverend Jamal Harrison Bryant and told them I just couldn't make flights work. And I want you to know that I will be standing shoulder to shoulder with Reverend Bryant as we go forth seeking justice as we know this could be any one of our kids. I want the family to know that we will be present and we will be consistent long after the cameras are gone. There's not a case, National Action Network and our fight that we don't stay with years later. I spend time now on Mother's Day, on holidays, talking with families and seeing what their needs are years that we fought 2030 years ago. So I make that commitment to this family. I also commit to Reverend Bryant who has come in that prophetic tradition that whatever you need from National Action Network and myself, I'll be there and to the Attorney General of Black America, I've been on this journey a long time fighting for social justice. I have not met one more gallant, more courageous and with more integrity than the attorney general of Black America. Ben Crump and Ben. You know, if you just make a call or text, I'm there to do whatever is necessary and National Action Network is there. I want to say to those that have gathered for this service that Roger is a victim of the visuals in America are based on what you see. You have the right to respond to differently. So if you see a black man in his own home, you have the right to shoot first and ask questions later. He is a victim of those that would never have done that to a military man in another community. He as a young black man stood up, signed up to fight for this country. The question now is, will the country stand up and fight for him? The family, the mother brokenhearted. Do we have though a broken system. That is the question and that is what we intend to get an answer to. So, do not think that when the service is in the struggle ends as he is laid to rest, we are called to arms, nonviolent arms. But battle it will be, we're not gonna rest till we get justice for right. No justice, no peace, a young prince, a young leader, Roger Fordson. If you would all over the world take a moment and read the obituary silently during this moment of silence. And everybody said, amen. We've come down to the moment where we hear a word from God through nobody more capable than our senior pastor and the shepherd of this house who's been the voice for our community for more than two decades. We're grateful that we have such a preacher, such a pastor, such a leader as the one and only Dr Jamal Harrison Bryan. I ask that you who know the power of prayer, pray for our senior pastor as he stands in this moment to give a good word about our deceased brother before he comes. You'll hear a selection from our praise team. And the next voice you will hear is the one and only Dr Jamal Harrison Bryant. I'm not busy. The prophet Isaiah penned as he uttered the word of the Lord. He said that I will keep your mind in perfect peace if you would keep it. Stay on the you. Oh, perfect peace. All whose minds should might. We stand for a word of prayer. Our heads are about our eyes are closed. Sweet, holy spirit, sweet heavenly dove. Stay right here with us, filling us with your love. I pray that you will have angels encamped around us. Cover our hearts, cover our minds, cover our spirits, covered this family and cover Roger's legacy. God. Thank you. You know, firsthand what it feels like to lose a innocent son. I pray dear Lord that you will give strength for the moment in Jesus name. Amen. Before you take your seats. Would you join me in an overwhelming applause of Thanksgiving for the strength of this family for both this mother and this father applause that is uh appropriate for an amazing man, an amazing patriot, an amazing servant. Would you help me? Thank God for Roger and for his life. Come on, let's in an overwhelming way. You may be seated in the presence of the Lord uh appreciative for all of the armed forces representatives who are present on today. Commanders who are in our midst for clergy people who are present. Uh Let me uh give a high commendation to uh attorney Crump for standing on the front line for this family and doing so unwaveringly, appreciative for uh the voice and for the ferocious conviction of Reverend Al Shop and even in absentia for uh wrapping his arms around this family, all of our elected officials who have come this way uh to the impacted family members who have lost loved ones to violence. Uh Thank you for coming and thank you for standing with this family uh to our own congressional representative, uh Congressman Hank Johnson who extends high commendation, love and affection to this family. All of our elected officials, let's give them a big hand just for standing our service. Uh Today is being broadcasted on air force bases around the world. And I want to thank them for standing in lockstep with this family to our local media conduits who are streaming this service, uh CNN and even Fox News. Uh Thank you for uh amplifying the voice uh for what it is that uh we gather uh on this day, I can't go a step further without thanking God for the Christ like compassion uh as exercised and exuded by the members of new birth missionary Baptist church. Uh Thank you so much for standing on today for sharing uh and being a visible and a vocal voice to our music ministry. Uh Let's give God a hand clapper praise uh to uh them as well. I'd like to draw your attention to Second Samuel chapter three, Old Testament Book of Second Samuel chapter three, verse 37 and 38. Second Samuel chapter three verse 37 and 38. So on that day, all the people there and all that Israel knew that the king had no part in the murder of Abner, then the king said to his men. Do you not know that today? A great man has fallen. Do you not know that today? A great man has fallen? I want to preach for a little while today using as a subject. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your service. Prior to becoming a pastor. I was a national youth and college director of the N A AC P, one of the stalwarts of liberty. It is a gentleman by the name of Mega es Joy Reed wrote a powerful book entitled Mer and Merle. And in it, she chronicles that in the spring of 1946 Mega Evers returned to Jackson Mississippi after serving in the United States Army as a decorated veteran upon returning to this country after landing on the beaches of Normandy and fighting for freedom in Germany. Mega Evers wanted that same freedom that he fought for in Germany to be evident in Mississippi. So he began to work, he began to organize, he began to plan and he began to register people to vote. He was fearless and courageous. He was a military man and a civil rights leader. He was a son, he was a husband and he was a father, he was a citizen and he was a dreamer. Belittle did mega know that 17 years after being honorably discharged that in the early morning hours of June 12th, 1963 another veteran, a veteran of world war two, a man who served in the United States Marine Corps as a machine gunner, a man by the name of Byron de La Beckwith would shoot him down in the carport outside of his own home. It showed all of America that you can wear a uniform and the uniform won't protect you that regrettably sometimes the skin you wear is more of a magnet to opposition than the uniform that you bear. Because in America before people see you as a veteran, as an airman in the United States Air Force, they'll see you as a black man. Doctor King would shudder in his feet to know that still in 2024 people are judged by the color of their skin before the content of their character wearing a uniform doesn't make you safe against the malfunctions of bigotry, wearing a uniform does not give you a restraining order against white supremacy because when you are black, even other people who wear uniforms for a living will assume that you are a threat to their life. The uniform is supposed to make you identify yourself regrettably. It wasn't that long ago that police officers went to an active military person's home and they did not identify themselves. The life we live is supposed to identify yourself. Langston Hughes had never enlisted in the army. He was never in the air force, never in the marines, but Langston Hughes standing at 5 ft two, living in a one bedroom apartment on Lenox Avenue in the height of the Harlem Renaissance here was Langston Hughes uniform. He said, I too sing America. They ask me to eat in the kitchen when company comes, but I just laugh and eat well and grow strong for tomorrow. They'll see that I too, Am America. And he did that wearing no uniform is because of that, that I bring you today to uh second Samuel chapter three and verse number 37 says, and on that day, all the people knew that the king of Israel had no part in the murder of Abner chilling words from a book that talks about love, that talks about grace that talks about forgiveness. Yet that book has to deal with murder. It has to deal with murder because Abner was murdered and it wasn't the first murder. There was uh a murder that took place in Second Samuel. And here is what is gonna be dizzying to all of you is that Abner was murdered by somebody else in uniform. He was murdered by somebody who took an oath to protect and to serve. He was murdered while being a part of active duty. Before that murder. The biblical C SI investigation would take us to Genesis where it is that we find Cain and Abel. And there is a distinct difference between Cain and Abel. And what happened to Abner is that you have to understand that Abel was hated but Abner was hunted, Abel was killed by his brother, but Abner was killed by the police. Abel was killed by somebody who should have loved him and Abner was killed by somebody who was supposed to protect him. There is an interesting phenomenon because it teaches us that when people can't control you, they'll seek to destroy you. When they can't make you subservient, then they'll strike you down. When people deny you the presumption of innocence and the affirmation of virtue, they jump to deadly conclusions without even giving you the chance to explain. How are we really going to sit in this place today for almost two hours? And I talk about how it is that that Roger was killed in his own home with six bullets in his body without anybody identifying themselves. Are we really going to sit here today and act as if Roger died of cancer like that Roger died of a stroke that Roger died of hypertension. Are you really gonna sit here today as if Roger is the victim of gang violence? Are you really gonna sit here today and act as if Roger died of a brain aneurysm. We gotta call it as it is. Roger died of murder. He died of stone cold murder and somebody has got to be held accountable. Are we going to faint? As if Roger could not lawfully own the gun? Are we gonna act as if because he was black? He was not protected by the constitution. He defended Roger was 23 years old, a member of the United States Air Force in his own house with a firearm that was registered and legal and a police officer came to his door and shot him up like a dog in the street as if he was not defending the rights of America all over the world. I gotta stop right here because I want to say to you what it is that a lot of you will not like. And that is Roger was better to America than America was to Roger. We owe him a debt of gratitude and a debt of Thanksgiving. Roger had the second amendment on his side and he had a right to bear arms. I wanna say what may not be popular, but what is absolutely true. The preamble of the constitution said we hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal and have the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Roger had a right. And if George Zimmerman had a right to carry a gun, then Roger had a right. If Kyle Rittenhouse had a right to carry a gun, then Roger had a right. If Dylann Roof had a right, then Roger had a right. We've got to be able to defend the rights of those who love American pledge allegiance to the flag. I flew here this morning. And while it is that I was en route to the service. I stopped in my tracks because the number one golfer in America was stopped early this morning because he was on the way to a PGA tour. He did not listen to the police. He ran his car past the police threatening the physical body of police officers. And you're not gonna believe what they did. They arrested him, they fingerprinted him, they took his mug shot, but by 10 o'clock they released him to play golf. Something is wrong in America if in fact, you have respect as a golfer, but you don't have a respect for an air force person who has given their life to this nation. You cannot remain silent in the face of injustice. Roger, ladies and gentlemen was killed in cold blood and all over the nation. People have been asking is Roger's dog. All right, but they're not asking is his mama? Alright? Not asking is his little brother? Alright. Not asking is harmony. All not asking is his father. All right. And I came to tell America we ain't all right. This is not right. What has happened on today? This is the land of the free and the home of the brave. You cannot defeat what it is that you do not name James Baldwin said you cannot fix it until you face it. And today, ladies and gentlemen, we do not come as Democrats or Republicans. We come as Americans telling America you gotta fix this Biden. If you wanna be president again, fix this Donald Trump. If you wanna be president, fix this Congress and Senate, you gotta fix this before I be a slave. I'll be buried in my grave and go home to my and be free. Comes a place where we can no longer be silent. Verse 37 says in that moment, they knew that he had nothing to do with the murder. And if we stop there, it would be incomplete. I invite you to. Verse 38. Verse 38 says, do you not know that a prince has died? Do you not know that a good man has died? Ladies and gentlemen, much of our conversation has been about how he died, but I do not want you to just see him as a statistic. Roger is not a hashtag Roger is a son. He is a brother, he is a nephew, he is a man and he is an American and I need somebody to give a standing ovation for a man who lived for something, a man who stood for something, a man that believed in something was a prince among men. He stood head and shoulders above the status quo. I am so grateful that our paths wavered across his path. I have some gentlemen and some ladies and some commanders who are present on today and they were there. They weren't there in the apartment, they weren't there when the person from the apartment complex called the police. But they were there, they were there when somehow or another by the grace of God, Roger was able to survive the streets of Atlanta and he lifted up his right hand. He said, I Roger Fortson do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. And I will obey the orders of the president of the United States and the orders of the office appointed over me according to the regulations and uniform code of military justice. So help me God, but I come today to take another oath. I so solemnly swear that if God before me, who can be against me, I swear no weapon that is formed against us shall be able to prosper. I swear that in the time of trouble, he will hide us. I swear that you prepare a table in the presence of our enemies. The second creed, the second treated of this air force is a simple one and that simple creed is I am an American air. My mission is to fly to fight and to win. That is the mission that he took and that is the mission that we all take. Do you realize how courageous He was, how strong he was on 911? Cowards in this nation tried to overtake our democracy. Cowards tried to shake the marrow of who we are as Americans. Cowards thought that they would in fact divide our nation in our harmony. But I want you to understand members of the air force, the mistake that the terrorists make. The mistake that the terrorists make is that when the terrorists went to flight school, they all dropped out the terrorists that went to flight school, they only learned how to take off, but they never learned how to land. Ladies and gentlemen, we gotta learn how to land, right? We gotta make sure that we live a life that the next generation that comes behind us. We know that we only got to do three things. Fly fight and win. That's what I came to tell some young person who's not sure what you gonna do about your future. Fly fight and win. That's what I wanna tell. Harmony. Fly fight and win. That's what I wanna tell. Every disillusioned family member fight, fight and win. Jesus must have been in the air force because he said if I be lifted up, I'll draw amen unto me. And if we must fight, we are gonna fly and if we fly, we are going to win. So help me, God, we're gonna fly, we're going to fight and we're going to win. Lord. We thank God for Dr Jamal Harrison Bryant. Come on, put your hands together. Well, this amazing word and this amazing man, we are now in the hands of the very capable funeral direction of the Donald Trimble mortuary. If you would come down and provide Acknowledgments next steps and protocol as they come, we want to thank them for the excellence by which they've served this family, how they've served this community, how they served our people for years upon years. We thank you. We're grateful for you to Doctor Bryant, other ministers that are present and all of you have come to share in these services. Your sympathy in our recent loss will long be remembered. Thank you sincerely for all that you have done for us in our time of need. Thank you for the many ways in which you helped us during the loss of our senior airman Roger. For we deeply appreciate all kindness shown. May God continue to bless each of you the family as we prepare to recess from this place? The internment will be held at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. We ask that those of you who can go the last mile of the way with this amazing family to do so, but all over the world, it may not be possible. So we're asking wherever you are and in this sanctuary, if you point your right hand towards this beer for as much as it has pleased the will of almighty God in his divide and providence to remove from this walk of life unto himself, the soul of our deceased brother, senior airman Roger Fortson, whose spirit having departed to dwell in that land where no travelers shall ever return. We therefore commit his body to the ground, earth, to earth, ashes, to ashes, dust, to dust. Looking for that blessed hope when the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of an archangel with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then which then we which are alive and remain. She'll be caught up in the air to meet him in the clouds. And so shall we ever be with the Lord? Wherefore? Comfort one another with these words, Doctor Bryant? Thank you, Mr Ross. Uh Let me ask uh harmony and Andre, if you'll come, would you applaud his uh brother and sister? Come on. Give him a big applause. The old Negro spiritual said, if I can help somebody as I pass along, if I can cheer somebody with a word or with a song, then my living is not in vain. A part of uh Roger's Drive and his pull uh was a committed selflessness. Uh He said he wanted to uh go far and go high and make an impact. So his brother Andre and so his sister harmony, I would have access to higher education. He wanted to see them go to college. I want you to give an amazing applause for that. Come on, you got to do better than that. Uh Many of you saw the picture that uh went viral with Roger and his sister and she was in the Air Force uniform. Uh but uh we wanted to underscore the pole with the family. They have a, a go fund me for their college account uh for them to go to college. I'm asking uh Thank you. That QR code is uh on our closest screens. Uh Those of you who are online ask that you please partner with us. Uh so that you might be able to share, you might be able to give attorney. And this is part of Mika's prayer. You know, Roger was very proud of where he came from. And as I understand it, East Pineapple apartment complex. Paradise, East Paradise apartment is from Florida. So he thinking about ain't no pineapples. This is the peach State. Thank you. And he's got, he was able to rise up as his mother says, from a community that many people don't get to rise up from. And he said his whole mission was trying to do good to be an example for his little brother and his little sister to give them a better chance at the American dream, Pastor Bryant. He wanted to pay for them to go to college. That's why he saw the military, not only as fulfilling his dream to be a pilot, but also to help fulfill the dreams of harmony and Andre. And so thank you Doctor Bryant for in this homegoing service as honor Mia's prayer to say y'all, let's help fulfill Roger's Dream for harmony and Andre, we wanna make sure they have an opportunity to achieve the American dream. And so we're asking every person to uh allow your actions to exceed your words uh that we will model what it means to have what Doctor King calls the beloved community. Um We exercising that kind of harmony as we move forward. P Ross, we're in your hands. Yes. As we're getting ready to depart, if you all would please stand as we Benedict you from this moment, but never from God's presence. It is our protocol to speak life over each of our members and people that come in these doors, if you would lift your hands as high as you see yourself going repeat after me, walk with God and He'll walk with me, talk with God and he'll talk with me, build for God and he'll be for me, give to God and he'll give to me, love God because he first loved me now unto him and Him alone who was able to present us faultless before the throne. God. We thank you for this life. We thank you for this moment. We thank you for all that you've done are going to do and we'll keep doing, bless this family, bless us, keep us. It's in your name. We pray and everybody said, amen. Sure.
