Hammond Community Honored Fallen Airman
Residents gathered to pay tribute to 24-year-old Staff Sgt. Lucas VanderWoude, who passed away in September.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Military
Community members and local officials in Hammond held a memorial gathering to honor the life of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Lucas VanderWoude. The 24-year-old service member, a 2020 graduate of TF South High School, died on Sept. 14.
Why it matters
The gathering served as a public show of support for a local service member who died while on active duty. Family members have requested that donations be directed to Wreaths Across America in his memory.
Staff Sgt. Lucas VanderWoude was 24 years old at the time of his death. He was a 2020 graduate of TF South High School.
The players
Lucas VanderWoude
He was a 24-year-old U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. who previously resided in Abilene, Texas.
Brian Hardy
He is the Mayor of Lansing who attended the memorial service alongside his wife.
Patriot Guard Riders
This volunteer network coordinates motorcycle escorts for service members and first responders.
The details
Attendees at the Hammond gathering included Lansing Mayor Brian Hardy, his wife Kathy, and representatives from local police and fire departments. Following the tribute, the Patriot Guard Riders escorted VanderWoude to a funeral home in Lowell.
Timeline
Lucas VanderWoude was born on July 4, 2002.
VanderWoude graduated from TF South High School in 2020.
Staff Sgt. Lucas VanderWoude died on Sept. 14, 2026.
Community members gathered to honor VanderWoude in Hammond on Oct. 4, 2026.
Political Context
The family request for donations to Wreaths Across America aligns this local memorial with broader national patterns for honoring fallen service members. Opposition to such tributes is rarely expressed, as they reflect community-led traditions of honoring military service.
The gathering in Hammond brought local officials and residents together to facilitate a military escort through the area. Residents were informed of the event through volunteer networks that coordinate funeral honors for service members.
The takeaway
The support shown by local first responders and community members highlights the regional commitment to honoring service members. Those looking to contribute can donate to Wreaths Across America as requested by the family.
Further reading
For more information on regional military tributes, visit the Military section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Lansing Journal.
