'A proud moment for our community'
Motorcade participants overwhelmed by turnout in frigid weather
Monday, January 4, 2010 10:15 AM EST
ALBION -- Eric Bradshaw was driving from the Greater Rochester International
Airport on Sunday morning, making the first turn out of the airport,
when he had to fight to keep his emotions under control.
Bradshaw, the Albion fire chief, was driving the chief's truck when
he turned onto Scottsville Road. There were about 20 people by the
road, holding flags and standing solemnly with their right hands
on their hearts.
"I'm not ashamed to say there were times I found myself overwhelmed
by it all," Bradshaw said Sunday, recounting a 34-mile trip as part
of a motorcade returning Jason Johnston to Albion. The 24-year-old
Army soldier was killed by a roadside bomb while on foot patrol
Dec. 26 in Afghanistan.
Johnson was flown Sunday by chartered plane from Dover Air Force
Base in Delaware to Rochester. In a ceremony at the airport, soldiers
transferred his body to a hearse. On the trip to Albion, a processional
of about 15 vehicles peaked at about 45 miles per hour. As they
passed under overpasses along Route 531, members of Monroe County
fire departments, including Gates and Spencerport, gathered to honor
Johnston.
When the processional reached Orleans County in Clarendon, firefighters
there were assembled to pay their respects. When the motorcade turned
to Fancher Road, some residents stood in their driveways along the rural
route. More residents were outside the Murray Town Hall.
As he approached Albion, Bradshaw hoped the community would be out in
force to recognize Johnston and send a message to his family that the
soldier is loved, and his sacrifice is greatly appreciated.
Bradshaw was worried about the turnout because of the frigid weather
and the fierce winds. But residents were out, as soon as the motorcade
made its way into Albion, entering the east side of the village of Route
31.
People were standing knee-high in snow at Bullard Park. They waved flags
and saluted the hearse carrying Johnston. There were more people at
the entrances to Albion Central School. Bradshaw noticed the Carlton
Fire Company camped at Keding Automotive, across from the middle school.
The streets were lined with people along Route 31 near the Route 98
intersection. There was a solemn crowd the last block leading to Christopher
Mitchell Funeral Homes.
"It brought tears to my eyes, it really did," said Scott Schmidt, a
funeral director with Christopher Mitchell. "To see the throngs of people
and to see the signs saying, 'Thank you, Jason.'"
Schmidt drove one of the vehicles with members of the Johnston family.
The Johnstons commented about the signs, and the many people who stood
in the 10-degree weather.
"It meant a lot to them," Schmidt said.
Johnston is the first Orleans County resident to die fighting the war
on terror since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Schmidt said
he knew local residents would welcome Johnston home.
"People wanted the right to say thanks," he said. "It's a sad time,
but when you see the people out, it's a proud moment for our community."
|
