thedrifter
01-13-09, 03:03 PM
Fallen Marine comes home
Published: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.
Lance Cpt. Jessie Cassada, a fallen Marine, is finally home.
His body arrived on a small plane at Asheville Regional Airport today around noon. His coffin draped with the American flag was transported via a motorcade to Forest Lawn Mortuary Memorial Park and Mausoleum on Tracy Grove Road.
At the mortuary chapel, Cassada was finally reunited with his family and close friends.
Cassada, of Hendersonville, died in combat on Tuesday, Jan. 6 serving his country in Afghanistan. He was 19. He was the son of Carroll London and Patricia Cassada.
After graduating from East Henderson High School in 2007, Cassada joined the Marine Corps and completed boot camp that November. He was deployed from Camp Lejune in November 2008 with the 2nd Division, 8th Marines, L Company.
Many gathered at the airport to greet Henderson County’s fallen Marine at the airport this morning.
The aircraft landed at the airport and at its last leg of the journey on the tarmac, two airport fire trucks shot water over the plane— welcoming Cassada home.
The plane came to a rest and was met by U.S. Marine Corps personnel, in dress uniform, who transferred Cassada’s casket to a hearse.
The motorcade was soon underway. Law enforcement vehicles led the way followed by about 50 Patriot Guard Riders, and close behind was the hearse with Cassada’s casket.
The convoy left the airport by 12:30 p.m. and headed down I-26. They exited off the Four Season’s Boulevard exit where police had stopped traffic in both directions. The main stretch of road in Hendersonville was at an unusual standstill for about 10 minutes. All motorists could hear was the rumbling of the motorcycles leading Cassada to the mortuary.
The caravan moved along onto Dana Road and then to the mortuary on Tracy Grove Road.
Once there, Cassada’s casket was taken to the chapel in the Mortuary. There, he reunited with his family.
Cassada’s casket will be accompanied by someone the entire time from the arrival on Tuesday at the mausoleum to the funeral service. Members of the Henderson County Marine Corps League, Marine Reserves and other volunteers will stand guard at the chapel until the funeral at 2 p.m. Thursday at Mud Creek Baptist Church.
Ellie
Published: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.
Lance Cpt. Jessie Cassada, a fallen Marine, is finally home.
His body arrived on a small plane at Asheville Regional Airport today around noon. His coffin draped with the American flag was transported via a motorcade to Forest Lawn Mortuary Memorial Park and Mausoleum on Tracy Grove Road.
At the mortuary chapel, Cassada was finally reunited with his family and close friends.
Cassada, of Hendersonville, died in combat on Tuesday, Jan. 6 serving his country in Afghanistan. He was 19. He was the son of Carroll London and Patricia Cassada.
After graduating from East Henderson High School in 2007, Cassada joined the Marine Corps and completed boot camp that November. He was deployed from Camp Lejune in November 2008 with the 2nd Division, 8th Marines, L Company.
Many gathered at the airport to greet Henderson County’s fallen Marine at the airport this morning.
The aircraft landed at the airport and at its last leg of the journey on the tarmac, two airport fire trucks shot water over the plane— welcoming Cassada home.
The plane came to a rest and was met by U.S. Marine Corps personnel, in dress uniform, who transferred Cassada’s casket to a hearse.
The motorcade was soon underway. Law enforcement vehicles led the way followed by about 50 Patriot Guard Riders, and close behind was the hearse with Cassada’s casket.
The convoy left the airport by 12:30 p.m. and headed down I-26. They exited off the Four Season’s Boulevard exit where police had stopped traffic in both directions. The main stretch of road in Hendersonville was at an unusual standstill for about 10 minutes. All motorists could hear was the rumbling of the motorcycles leading Cassada to the mortuary.
The caravan moved along onto Dana Road and then to the mortuary on Tracy Grove Road.
Once there, Cassada’s casket was taken to the chapel in the Mortuary. There, he reunited with his family.
Cassada’s casket will be accompanied by someone the entire time from the arrival on Tuesday at the mausoleum to the funeral service. Members of the Henderson County Marine Corps League, Marine Reserves and other volunteers will stand guard at the chapel until the funeral at 2 p.m. Thursday at Mud Creek Baptist Church.
Ellie