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“When one of our own dies it affects us all:” Community gathers to mourn fallen hero Kerry Kemp
"When one of our own dies it affects us all:" Community gathers to mourn fallen hero Kerry Kemp
PORT WASHINGTON (WITI) -- Dozens lined the streets of Port Washington today, many holding American flags. Staff Sergeant Kerry Kemp was remembered on Friday, March 27th, through a procession, visitation and funeral.
Kemp was killed earlier this month in a helicopter crash off the Florida coast.
Port Washington High School is where family members say SSGT Kemp met his wife, and today it is where hundreds are coming together, many who didn't even know the Kemp family, to remember him with full military honors.
As SSGT Kemp's body is driven over the final hill toward Port Washington High School, a community stands in silence and respect -- including the town's youngest members.
"I said this is for SSGT Kemp who went to heaven for us for our country," said Glenda Jacque, resident.
Kemp was killed on March 11th when the twin engine Black Hawk helicopter, he and 10 others were in, crashed during a training exercise off Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
Kemp's body returned to Port Washington on Wednesday, a town with which he and his family had close ties, escorted by sheriff's deputies and police officers.
It was a similar scene Friday afternoon, a day which so many in the town treated differently. Flags are at half staff, and signs with messages support the family -- anything but business as usual.
"We are going to close our shop for a while so we can go pay respects to the family," said Jim Wirsching-Neuser, Owner of Vines to Cellar.
Wirsching-Neuser owns a local shop in town, he and his wife are also military members -- he himself, retired.
"When one of our own dies it affects us all and we want to support the family any way we can," said Wirsching-Neuser.
And for many in this community, it can be as simple a gesture as just showing up.
The visitation began at 3 p.m. and the funeral will start at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 28th is the burial service.
The family of SSGT Kemp has declined to speak with the media about their loss.