A fallen Marine Corporal who was killed in Afghanistan this month began his final journey home Thursday morning.
21-year-old Cpl. Stephen "Coty" Sockalosky of Cordele was killed in action on Oct. 6.
His body landed at Robins Air Force Base around 10 a.m. Thursday.
Dozens turned out to pay their tribute as the funeral procession traveled down Watson Boulevard to Highway 41.
Robins officials asked anyone who wants to pay their respects to Sockalosky to line Watson Boulevard.
The Department of Defense announced Friday that Sockalosky died last Wednesday during combat operations in Helmand province.
Sockalosky was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune.
WALB-TV in Albany reports that he was wounded by an improvised explosive device and died at a U.S. military hospital in Germany.
They reported that he was a 2007 graduate of Crisp County High School.
He will be buried Saturday and his funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Crisp County Middle School.
aubreygirl wrote:
Just some thoughts to ponder:
This morning many of us on RAFB watched the funeral procession pass by for Cpl. Stephen "Coty" Sockalosky. He is the same age as my son and many of your own children, of which are also serving in the military.
As the procession turned up Robins Parkway "with so many people lined up and down both sides of the street to pay their respects while standing either at attention or hands across their hearts", I lost count of the motorcycle brigade after more than 50 went by, not counting all the sheriff/police car escorts.
You could hear a pin drop on the street from the silence until one SUV passed by. The window was rolled down and the Mother of the soldier with hands waving out the window to all, tears streaming down her face as she was sobbing out loud over and over to the crowd...THANK YOU...GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Moments later the Soldiers Flagged Dressed Casket passes by...
While I know it means so much to the family to see the kind of support visible today, I wish the Mother could have heard the hearts of everyone there in reverential silence saying... I’m so very very sorry for your loss, THANK YOU...GOD BLESS YOU and YOUR FAMILY...THANK YOU SO MUCH!
It's overwhelming and very sobering to even try and imagine what this family is experiencing and yet also know that "Coty” joined the service willingly and gave his life for all of us without even thinking about it. He was probably just doing his job and never really thought about dying for all of us.
What a sacrifice. "Coty and all our soldiers" is our reminder of why we do what we do every day here at RAFB.
This morning many of us on RAFB watched the funeral procession pass by for Cpl. Stephen "Coty" Sockalosky. He is the same age as my son and many of your own children, of which are also serving in the military.
As the procession turned up Robins Parkway "with so many people lined up and down both sides of the street to pay their respects while standing either at attention or hands across their hearts", I lost count of the motorcycle brigade after more than 50 went by, not counting all the sheriff/police car escorts.
You could hear a pin drop on the street from the silence until one SUV passed by. The window was rolled down and the Mother of the soldier with hands waving out the window to all, tears streaming down her face as she was sobbing out loud over and over to the crowd...THANK YOU...GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Moments later the Soldiers Flagged Dressed Casket passes by...
While I know it means so much to the family to see the kind of support visible today, I wish the Mother could have heard the hearts of everyone there in reverential silence saying... I’m so very very sorry for your loss, THANK YOU...GOD BLESS YOU and YOUR FAMILY...THANK YOU SO MUCH!
It's overwhelming and very sobering to even try and imagine what this family is experiencing and yet also know that "Coty” joined the service willingly and gave his life for all of us without even thinking about it. He was probably just doing his job and never really thought about dying for all of us.
What a sacrifice. "Coty and all our soldiers" is our reminder of why we do what we do every day here at RAFB.
It was so moving to see so many people with flags and eager to invite folks who didn't know what was about to happen to come and join them as they waited for a fallen hero to come home. I myself didn't see the flag draped casket or the mother saying thank you to all of those who stood to honor her son....I imagine I would have been crying too....but I think of them and the people who stood along that route home ...it is something I don't think anyone who witnessed even a portion of it will ever ever forget! OOOhRah and Semper Fi young Coty....and thank you! Loveyameanit and God Bless our military! Queenie
What a beautiful note. I'm so glad that those people lined the streets to C this fine soldier home. I'm sure that they were all saddened by the tragedy of his early death. Thank U to him & all the service people for doing what they do. God Bless each & every one of them.
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