Two Fort Hood slain soldiers return to Florida

Two fallen Fort Hood soldiers to be buried locally, honored as heroes
Bay News 9
By Jason Lanning/Josh Rojas, Team Coverage
Last Updated: Friday, April 11, 2014

Tampa International Airport firefighters held a water cannon salute for the plane that brought Lazaney-Rodriguez’ body to Tampa from Texas.

TAMPA
Two of the three soldiers killed in last week's Fort Hood shootings will be buried locally.

The body of Staff Sgt. Carlos A. Lazaney-Rodriguez arrived at Tampa International Airport Friday afternoon.

Lazaney-Rodriguez, 38, originally from Puerto Rico, was months away from retiring after 20 years of service.

Tampa International Airport firefighters held a water cannon salute for the plane that brought Lazaney-Rodriguez’ body to Tampa from Texas. His family held a private ceremony on the tarmac.

More than 100 Patriot Guard Riders also showed up at the airport to show their respects for the soldier.

"It's just an honor to be here for them. I'm sad that I do. I'd much rather me shaking their hand than saluting their coffin,” said Randall McNabb, Patriot Guard Riders.
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UPDATE

Mourners gather for funeral of Ill. soldier killed at Fort Hood
Chicago Tribune
Tribune wire reports
April 12, 2014

ROLLA, Mo.— Mourners gathered in Rolla, Missouri on Saturday for the funeral of an Iraq war veteran killed in a shooting rampage at the Fort Hood Army base earlier this month. Friends and family of Timothy Owens, 37, a native of Effingham, Illinois, attended a private service at First Baptist Church.

Outside the church, several dozen motorcyclists, many of them veterans, prepared to escort the hearse to the cemetery.

Veteran Frank Reinhart said the mission of the Patriot Guard Riders was to ensure dignity at memorial services for fallen military, something his generation missed after returning from the Vietnam War.

"You go through little towns and see people with their hands over their hearts, it's very moving," Reinhart said, adding that the group aims "to see that the family gets support and a little bit of honor."

Two other soldiers died in the attack this month - Daniel Ferguson, 39, of Mulberry, Florida, and Carlos Lazaney Rodriguez, 38, of Puerto Rico. Their funerals will be held on Monday in Florida.
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