This was sent to me by a photographer and seemed fitting to copy here. I will try to get the photos posted to the photo album shortly.
Bryan L.
I have been to two memorial services for servicemen killed in Iraq. I have participated in two welcoming committees to honor soldiers returning home from Iraq. Today was a first. I was part of a very large group of veterans, service members, and other patriots who came out to honor the return of a serviceman killed in Iraq.
The young man was from Riddle, Oregon in Douglas County; however, the airport in Roseburg was not large enough to handle the aircraft bringing this soldier home. So he was brought to North Bend, Oregon, loaded onto a hearse, and escorted home.
More than an hour before the plane was scheduled to arrive dozens of Patriot Guard Riders, members of service organizations, policemen, firemen, veterans, and friends gathered to be available to honor this young man's service to his country and for paying the ultimate price for the War on Terrorism.
The honor guard consisted of seven members of the Army National Guard assigned to the Willamette National Cemetery. This group of soldiers stood at attention for almost an hour inside a small hangar awaiting the arrival of Private Joshua Young.
About two dozen members of his family were also present in the hangar to be there for the arrival of the aircraft and subsequent trip back to Riddle.
I am finding it rather hard to describe the feelings one has while he stands there waiting for the arrival of a young soldier who gave it all in combat. I vacillated between focusing on getting photographs and then realizing what was going on. It was difficult to look over at the family and imagine how they must be feeling as they sat there. It was quite obvious when the casket was finally deplaned and escorted to the hearse. I could hear sobs from several of the family members. I did not look at them because I knew that if I did I would be sobbing also.
Two Army captains were present. One captain, a female, spent the entire time with the family and the other captain, a male, was on the aircraft to escort the body home.
I spent most of the time inside hangar shooting photos and got the e-mail address of someone so I could send photos to the family later. Once the hearse was loaded and the door closed I went out to see all the others who had been patiently, standing in a light rain. There were probably a hundred or more people lining the street, standing at attention, and saluting the young soldier and his family as he moved from the airport to his final resting place.
About ten minutes or so before the plane landed with the deceased soldier one of the US Coast Guard helicopters started warming up. I assumed that it was just another routine mission for the Coast Guard. Shortly after the plane landed the helicopter taxied out and took off. After I got into my van and fell in behind the long line of vehicles escorting the hearse out of town I saw the helicopter come in and hover a couple of hundred feet above the line of vehicles. When the vehicles took off the helicopter flew very slowly just over the procession and along the route the procession would be taking.
Just about the time the aircraft carrying Private Young landed I saw a bird which looked like it might be an eagle coming right towards us as we waited for the plane to arrive. I was hoping that it was an eagle and thinking what a tribute to this young soldier. As it turned out it was an Osprey but it still looked like an eagle to me. It flew right over where the plane finally stopped and right by the whole group of people.
The procession was led by a large fire truck, with flags, and numerous police vehicles with lights flashing. As I followed the line of vehicles I could see lights flashing far ahead of me. It was an awesome experience.
But probably the most touching part of this whole thing and something which I did not get any really good photos of was what the North Bend Coast Guard Station did. The street was lined shoulder to shoulder by all available Coast Guards personnel, standing at attention and saluting as the procession went by. It was truly an awesome sight. There were probably 50 or more Coast Guard personnel standing out there. Seeing them standing at attention and saluting and seeing the helicopter above was something I will not soon forget.
Friends, if you have never participated in something like this you really need to do it. I guarantee you will not be sorry. I shed some tears, other people standing on the side of the road shed some tears, and all of us were proud that we were there to honor this young soldier home from Iraq. We will remember this event for a long time.
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