A hero's welcome for a fallen soldier from Walla Walla
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WALLA WALLA, Wash. - Walla Walla's first casualty of the war in Afghanistan returned home.
The plane carrying the body of 1st Lieutenant Matthew Fazzari touched down as large crowds gathered along the fence of the tarmac to pay their respects.
Connie Lux said,"You know, you know it happens but now it's really real and it's so sad and tragic."
The lieutenant and his chopper co-pilot were gunned down by enemy fire on a surveillance operation in Bagram this month. Fazzari was a recent flight school graduate on his first tour of duty.
Thousands lined the route waiving flags and holding signs showing their support.
Michael Scheel, family friend said,"I've never seen anything like this either. Mat was a really important part of our community."
Utility workers raised their cherry pickers to create an arch for the casket to pass under.
The procession then made it's way down to Main Street. Most of the residents say they were given the time off work to be able to come down and pay their last respects.
Michael continues, "Everybody here knows each other and they know the pain of losing somebody. I don't know how else to say it. I'm kinda getting teared up too."
Crowds lingered as the motorcade made it's way to Herring's Funeral Home.
The last stop before the soldier is finally laid to rest.
Matthew Fazzari is survived by his wife and two young sons.
There will be a rosary Thursday night at Assumption Catholic Church. The funeral will be Friday morning. There will be a community celebration of life at Cordiner Hall on the Whitman College campus on Saturday.
The plane carrying the body of 1st Lieutenant Matthew Fazzari touched down as large crowds gathered along the fence of the tarmac to pay their respects.
Connie Lux said,"You know, you know it happens but now it's really real and it's so sad and tragic."
The lieutenant and his chopper co-pilot were gunned down by enemy fire on a surveillance operation in Bagram this month. Fazzari was a recent flight school graduate on his first tour of duty.
Thousands lined the route waiving flags and holding signs showing their support.
Michael Scheel, family friend said,"I've never seen anything like this either. Mat was a really important part of our community."
Utility workers raised their cherry pickers to create an arch for the casket to pass under.
The procession then made it's way down to Main Street. Most of the residents say they were given the time off work to be able to come down and pay their last respects.
Michael continues, "Everybody here knows each other and they know the pain of losing somebody. I don't know how else to say it. I'm kinda getting teared up too."
Crowds lingered as the motorcade made it's way to Herring's Funeral Home.
The last stop before the soldier is finally laid to rest.
Matthew Fazzari is survived by his wife and two young sons.
There will be a rosary Thursday night at Assumption Catholic Church. The funeral will be Friday morning. There will be a community celebration of life at Cordiner Hall on the Whitman College campus on Saturday.
