An American hero finally returns home
NotaSuv
Posts: 3,849
A hero finally returns home
I had the extreme pleasure of being part of a funeral procession for Donnie Shue....was a fantastic feeling and one that brought tears to ones eyes as his remains were brought into the funeral home where the public came to pay their respects as I did.......Cobra attack helos followed in the air as well......it was the most moving event I have ever attended..tears of joy and sorrow, not a dry eye in the place
You will never be forgotten Donnie thank you for your service............finally you can Rest In Peace
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. -- After being killed in action more than 40 years ago, a local Vietnam veteran is set to receive his proper homecoming Saturday morning.
Donnie Shue was killed in Laos in November 1969. The Army said his Green Beret unit was on a classified reconaissance mission in Laos.
Hundreds of people are expected to attend a special funeral procession that will wind through the cities of Charlotte, Concord, and Kannapolis.
John C. Owens graduated from special forces training with Donnie Shue, and the two friends met up in Vietnam just a few months later.
"He was a real warrior. He had guts, he had determination, he had integrity, he had it all. He was definitely special forces," Owens said.
For nearly 20 years, Owens has worn a special bracelet in honor of his friend, and swore he wouldn't take it off until Shue came home.
"He was the kind of person that always had a wonderful smile on his face," Owens said. "He was just a great person. And you couldn't help but like him."
Army pilot Terry Langegan flew Shue to his last mission in Laos.
"We're all family. We're all comrades. We're brothers in arms. So when you lose one, you lose part of yourself," Lanegan said, fighting back tears.
Shue's remains were discovered two years ago, and positively identified only recently through DNA and an engraved lighter.
Former soldiers in Shue's platoon came from as far away as Florida and California for Saturday's procession. Owens said he's proud that his close friend is finally home.
"It feels like finally there's closure. I never gave up, I never forgot."
After the procession, Shue's body will lie in repose at a Kannapolis funeral home. The funeral will be Sunday afternoon
I had the extreme pleasure of being part of a funeral procession for Donnie Shue....was a fantastic feeling and one that brought tears to ones eyes as his remains were brought into the funeral home where the public came to pay their respects as I did.......Cobra attack helos followed in the air as well......it was the most moving event I have ever attended..tears of joy and sorrow, not a dry eye in the place
You will never be forgotten Donnie thank you for your service............finally you can Rest In Peace
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. -- After being killed in action more than 40 years ago, a local Vietnam veteran is set to receive his proper homecoming Saturday morning.
Donnie Shue was killed in Laos in November 1969. The Army said his Green Beret unit was on a classified reconaissance mission in Laos.
Hundreds of people are expected to attend a special funeral procession that will wind through the cities of Charlotte, Concord, and Kannapolis.
John C. Owens graduated from special forces training with Donnie Shue, and the two friends met up in Vietnam just a few months later.
"He was a real warrior. He had guts, he had determination, he had integrity, he had it all. He was definitely special forces," Owens said.
For nearly 20 years, Owens has worn a special bracelet in honor of his friend, and swore he wouldn't take it off until Shue came home.
"He was the kind of person that always had a wonderful smile on his face," Owens said. "He was just a great person. And you couldn't help but like him."
Army pilot Terry Langegan flew Shue to his last mission in Laos.
"We're all family. We're all comrades. We're brothers in arms. So when you lose one, you lose part of yourself," Lanegan said, fighting back tears.
Shue's remains were discovered two years ago, and positively identified only recently through DNA and an engraved lighter.
Former soldiers in Shue's platoon came from as far away as Florida and California for Saturday's procession. Owens said he's proud that his close friend is finally home.
"It feels like finally there's closure. I never gave up, I never forgot."
After the procession, Shue's body will lie in repose at a Kannapolis funeral home. The funeral will be Sunday afternoon