They had to wait for nearly two weeks, but on Sunday, the family of Army Sgt. 1st Class David Robinson saw his remains brought home.
Robinson was 28 years old when he died in Saudi Arabia on Oct. 25. Sunday afternoon, his flag-draped casket was flown in a small plane from Dover Air Force Base, back to his boyhood home in Lake County, Illinois. A large procession of police cars, and Patriot Guard motorcyclists escorted the hearse to Congdon Funeral Home in Zion. A small crowd lined the street in the chilly November air, holding American flags as the column arrived.
One of those riders told NBC Chicago he feels compelled to come out in support of Gold Star military families, as they face the toughest times of their lives.
"This outpouring from the community, from all the members of law enforcement, the fire department, from all their friends, perfect strangers, is the one thing that potentially helps them heal," said Robert Curcio, a senior ride captain with the Illinois Patriot Guard. "If there is such a thing in this process as healing, it's the one thing that we as Americans and fellow citizens have to offer that family. This outpouring of support is unanimously considered by them to be a helpful part of that process."
Robinson joined the Army shortly after 9/11, to do his duty for his country in the wake of the terrorist attacks, his father told the Lake County News-Sun.
Robinson is survived by his wife, Emily, and their two children, Matthew, 7, and Jackson, 4.
Visitation begins Monday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Congdon Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Humility Church in Zion. Click here to visit the funeral home's Web page, where you may leave condolences for the family.
