Firegeezer notes: In this week leading up to Veteran's Day on Friday, we are presenting this touching documentary on the final trip of Firefighter Tristan Smith in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, who was killed in combat in Iraq. The preparations for this tribute were done on a moment's notice, but you will see that literally dozens of fire departments sprang into action to honor this young man. The compassion, honor, and brotherhood that they exhibited is touching. Please join us as we ride along, Bringing Tristan Home from the Dover AFB mortuary.
This is part 3 of 5. If you missed the beginning, please start with Part 1 HERE. Part 2 is HERE.
Dozens of FD's in Two States Honor a Firefighter / War Casualty
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Part 3: Continuing along the I-476:
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We entered the turnpike through a designated lane at the toll plaza without stopping.
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Upon exiting the turnpike, we went into a Best Buy parking lot where apparatus from numerous local departments were staged awaiting our arrival. The procession reformed with these additional units and proceeded over a number of local streets, past several other firehouses, winding up at our station. Police departments of each municpality joined the PSP escort for the passage through their respective locals.
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One of the most poignant moments occurred as our route took us past Gloria Dei Towers, a high rise retirement home. There many residents, some of them WWII and Korean War veterans, lined the sidewalk to render honors as the procession passed.
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Tomorrow, Part 4 – We arrive at Tristan's home town of Bryn Athyn. CLICK HERE to read Part 4.
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