KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Hundreds of people from across the Midwest made their way into Kirksville Wednesday evening to pay their respects to a fallen hero. 24-year-old Army Sgt. Brandon Maggart was killed Aug. 22 in Iraq when insurgents attacked his unit. Maggart was serving his second tour. The casket was returned to Kirksville Monday. KHQA's Lindsey Boetsch and Brooke Hasch were in Kirksville Wednesday as family and friends saluted the soldier one last time.
Just before 6:00 p.m., Maggart's casket drove underneath hundreds of American and military flags lined around the Kirksville Middle School circle drive. Maggart's body was greeted by 150 Patriot Guard riders from four states.
"I think this community pulls together in a time like this and I just am proud to see this many people come together, show our respects for what they do for us," said family friend Sam Burkholder.
Meanwhile, local supporters lined the streets for his procession. Many had expected to face a group of protesters from a Kansas church, but they did not show during the funeral.
"Since they did not show up, that just made this ceremony what it should be. We pay the tribute, respect and honor to this soldier for his cost and sacrifice, and the family was left alone to do what they need to do. We still have another 47 miles to go, but we're going to take this soldier home in style with the respect and honor he deserves. We are all here with our freedoms we have today because this family paid the sacrifice, the ultimate sacrifice, for our freedoms and its our honor to escort them home," said Patriot Guard rider Vern Bastian.
Maggart was laid to rest with honors at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, Missouri.
To see coverage of the funeral from our sister station KTVO in Kirksville go here:
http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=505744
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKHQA