Navy Seals Remembered in Louisiana Gathering
Hundreds have gathered Saturday to remember Navy SEAL Robert J. Reeves, 32, one of the 30 U.S. military personnel killed last week when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed in Afghanistan.
The event was held in Shreveport, north Louisiana. According to CNN, Navy Cmdr. Bill Mahoney said, “While we are overcome with grief from Robert's tragic loss, we will never forget the love he had for his family, his friends, the United States Navy and his Navy SEAL brothers.”
"Nothing made Rob happier than to serve with the best, because that's what Rob gave his family, his friends and everyone's lives he ever touched -- the best."
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Reeves was killed in what emerged to be the worst-loss of American life in a single incident since the start of the Afghan war.
Hundreds of well-wishers and mourners lined the streets leading to St Mark Cathedral, and police and patriot guard took part in the motorcade. In a patriotic event American flags were seen along the streets leading to the cathedral, as well as the stairway to the cathedral’s entrance.
Torres, the mother of a Navy member who came to show support for Reeves' family, told KTBS: “It's just real sad that it had to come to this. This young man, he did something that benefits us. He gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
Of the 22 U.S. navy personnel killed in the incident, 15 were SEALs belonging to the unit responsible for the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. In addition to the 30 U.S. military personnel killed, seven Afghan troops and an interpreter were killed in the helicopter crash.
According to KTBS family members have requested that Reeves be buried at sea.
