It is with a heavy heart that I share this news: Dustin Hudson has died.
A member of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1/506 Infantry Division, it was Spc. Hudson’s first deployment to Afghanistan that resonates so loudly here in the Ozarks…
Dustin was the spark who ignited the flame that became “Shoeboxes for Soldiers.”
Dustin’s mother, Rhonda Luttrull: “The morning after my son left for Afghanistan I felt overwhelmed…I didn’t know what to do — there were so many things going through my head. But I couldn’t bring him back. The only thing I could to do was to send him everything I could — something from home. About three weeks later he said he was the only one on the base at that time who had heard from home. That kind of broke my heart.” (Full story from Donna Osborn – Christian County Headliner)
The organization “Shoeboxes for Soldiers” was born. She teamed with local radio station KTTS for publicity and Family Pharmacy for infrastructure…and over the years, the spark ignited by Dustin’s deployment became a conflagration.
Thousands across the Ozarks have packed boxes for their neighbors serving overseas. Thousands of men and women in uniform have received that generosity and thoughtfulness from grateful strangers back home. So many have been touched by this relationship between a mother and son.
Please contribute to help finance Dustin’s funeral expenses: CLICK HERE
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From Trieste Runnels on Dustin’s GoFundMe page:
Our friend Dustin K Hudson wanted nothing more in life than to serve his country and have a family. He was a soldier in the US Army and served with pride through two deployments to Afghanistan with the 4th brigade combat team, 1/506 infantry division. He was a loving father to his two children, and always there when a friend needed a hand. He suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for the last few years of his life fighting his own demons in his head. His love for riding motorcycles, and being among friends never deminished.
He took his own life after battling for 4 years, leaving behind his children, a fiance, brothers and sisters, his mother, and many friends. We are asking for help in paying for his services. This was shock to everyone that knew him, and final expenses were not arranged previously. Even if its just one dollar, all help is greatly appreciated. Please help us lay our friend, a true Soldier to rest. CLICK HERE
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VISITATION: Friday, April 24 – 6:00p-8:00p
Greenlawn Funeral Home South
441 West Battlefield
Springfield, Missouri 65807
Phone: 417-881-3000
