News>Florida sheriffs give 'fallen heroes' last ride home
Photos
Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies escort a hearse carrying fallen Solider Army Staff Sgt. Ricardo Seija’s from the flightline at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., July 17, 2012. Seija died July 8, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device when enemy forces attacked his unit in Maidan Shahr, Wardak province, Afghanistan., He was 31 years old. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
Army Staff Sgt. Ricardo Seija’s family mourn him upon viewing his casket for the first time July 17, 2012, on the flightline of MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Seija died July 8, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device when enemy forces attacked his unit in Maidan Shahr, Wardak province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
Army Spc. Clarence Williams III is carried by an Army Honor Guard to a hearse July 17, 2012, while his family weeps for him at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Williams died July 8, of wounds suffered by an improvised explosive device when enemy forces attacked his unit in Maidan Shahr, Wardak province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
A veteran salutes fallen hero Army Staff Sgt. Ricardo Seija as he is taken into a funeral home July 17, 2012, in Tampa Fla. Seija died July 8, 2012. The 31-year-old Soldier is survived by his widow and a young son. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)
by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz
6th Mobility Wing Public Affairs
7/20/2012 - MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- The Hillsborough County Sheriff's office, in Florida, in partnership with members of MacDill Air Force Base, conducted a fallen hero's dignified transfer here for the second day in a row July 18.
Over the years, service members have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and, since 2009, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department has made it their responsibility to see that all fallen heroes returning home are met by fellow brothers-in-arms and are honorably escorted to their final resting place.
The Sheriff's office has conducted more than 14 of these honorable escorts.
When the fallen heroes land on the flightline, this bittersweet reunion is the first their families will have with their loved one since they departed for their deployment. The sheriff's office supports the families in their grieving process by providing a minimum of 20 motorcycle deputies and six support vehicles to escort them in the procession.
The sheriff's office coordinates with multiple agencies in the state depending on where the hero will be laid to rest, making their last ride home an honorable one. For Army Spc. Clarence Williams III and Army Staff Sgt. Ricardo Seija, the most recent heroes escorted home, the sheriff's office cleared a path through four county lines.
Williams a native of Brooksville, Fla. and Seija a native of Tampa Fla., died July 8, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit in Maidan Shahr, Wardak province, Afghanistan, with an improvised explosive device.
"This is a service that we provide only if the family wishes, and we've never had a family not accept the offer" said J.D. Callaway, Director of Community Affairs, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
For Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee, who's proudly served the sheriff's department for over 35 years and is a parent to a military member who has served two tours in Afghanistan, providing this service is very close to his heart.
"I think that it's important that our office and our community recognize that there is a real price being paid " said Gee, "These are real people with real families that are affected, we're not ever going to let one of these service members come home without being paid a great honor for the sacrifice that they've made."
As the procession departs the flightline, the streets are silent, lined with service members standing at attention and rendering a final salute. Traveling through the city of Tampa people wave their flags, hold their right hand over their hearts and make signs to show their sympathy while the local fire departments, port authority and even helicopters line the path showing support in their own unique way while also securing a safe path with the motorcycle riders who drive ahead to stop traffic.
For the deputies that volunteer to conduct this honorable detail, some memories will stay with them forever.
"Once we escorted a fallen hero out to a funeral home; he had two young children, and our honor guard had the honor of carrying the fallen hero from the hearse that day," Callaway said. "As the widow and children watched the honor guard carry the flag draped casket past them, the little boy looked up at his mother and said, 'Is that daddy?' That one I'll never forget."
The sheriff's department provides every fallen hero's honorable escort free of charge to the families. They also produce a video of the procession for the families and the general public.
"The families really cherish those [videos]. I've had a lot of families call me and tell me how much they appreciate it. Sometimes they don't even remember the day" Gee said. "We're doing this because it needs to be done and we have the ability. But it's the community, that's what makes it special for the families to see the community come out. We see ourselves as the facilitators of that."
Comments
7/25/2012 3:40:37 PM ET If you have ever seen this it's purely an amazing site to see. I don't think people realize how close of a relationship most police have with the military when it comes to brothers in arms. As a prior Sheriffs Deputy, it's an honor to see. Well done, HCSO we salute you.
MSgt Mark Casadei, AFRL NY
7/25/2012 9:09:59 AM ET RIP SSgt Seija and SPC Williams. You will never be forgotten brothers.
SSgt Dunn, Kabul Afghanistan
7/22/2012 8:25:47 PM ET I was there for this Digified Transfer to show my respects. I commend the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office as they provide this service free of charge to every HERO that comes home. They video tape everything for the family and provide an outstanding service. Also the local Community is outstanding as they all come to show their respects. If anyone wants to see full clips go to youtube and search HCSO provides escort for fallen. These videos will tug at every nerve in your body. HCSO THANK YOU for all that you do for our Fallen Heroes and their families
135 Whisperer, MacDill AFB Florida
7/21/2012 9:55:20 AM ET Thank you for all you do for our Fallen Heroes..........Angels on Earth are among us.
Nancy Lytle, Columbus Texas
7/20/2012 3:48:36 PM ET what a great thing these people are doing for our fallen hero.
laurie, San Antonio
7/20/2012 9:25:18 AM ET Thanks to the departement for providing the service. God speed to the fallen.
