Fallen soldier returns home

There are a lot of other stories I read that never appear on this blog. For one simple reason. Poor writing, done by someone needing to fill in some space with absolutely no clue how emotional the return of a flag draped coffin is. Doesn't matter what branch of the military or if it contains a citizen soldier from the National Guards or Reservists. It seems insulting to post some of the filler things I've read and I am so grateful this is not one of them. It's well written and addresses the emotions of people showing up to honor this fallen Guardsman.

Staff photo by Joe Phelan Maine Army National Guard soldiers move the casket containing U.S. Army Spc. Wade A. Slack's remains from a Falcon 20 charter jet to a waiting hearse Friday morning at the Augusta State Airport. The motorcade then drove north to Waterville.

Joe Phelan

Fallen soldier returns home
Wade A. Slack, of Waterville, arrives at airport and funeral home
By Scott Monroe



AUGUSTA — Under overcast skies this morning, Spc. Wade A. Slack was returned home to Maine.

Slack, 21, of Waterville, died of wounds sustained May 6 in Jaghatu, Afghanistan, after insurgents attacked his Army unit using indirect fire. Slack, who specialized in disarming explosives, was assigned to the 707th Ordnance Company, 3rd Ordnance Battalion, of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

At 9:14 a.m. this morning at the Augusta State Airport, a Falcon 20 plane of Kalitta Charters touched down on the runway on schedule, and rolled toward a crowd gathered at gate 2.

Slack’s family — including mother Mary Slack, father Alan Slack and stepmother Rose Slack and many others — were gathered together on the tarmac in a line, watching with hands clasped together and some with cameras raised.

Also at the airport as escorts were Waterville police, including Deputy Chief Charles Rumsey, Waterville Fire Chief David LaFountain, and officers from the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office. Maj. Gen. John W. Libby of the Maine National Guard was also there, as were scores of guardsmen, and 21 members of the Patriot Guard Riders and their motorcycles.

The plane came to a rest and its door slowly opened. Rail supports were placed down from the door to the tarmac and a platform on wheels, draped in black cloth, was lowered.

A couple of guardsmen walked across the tarmac to the plane, including Capt. Earl Weigelt, a Maine National Guard chaplain. Also standing by the plane was Sgt. James Cribbett, who served with Slack in Afghanistan and was a good friend. Cribbett also accompanied Slack’s remains on the flight from Afghanistan to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware a week ago.
read more here
http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/Fallen-soldier-returns-home.html