JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The body of a 20-year-old soldier killed this week in Iraq was returned to Jacksonville in a flag-draped casket Friday.
Pfc. Timothy Seamans' grieving but proud family met the plane at the airport to take him to his final resting place.
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His father wore his Navy uniform and helped carry the casket.
"Monday and Tuesday, I'll be representing as his dad. But today, he's a fellow veteran," David Seamans said. "I saluted him. That was my honor to him."
Seamans, who graduated from Terry Parker just 15 months ago, was on his first tour of duty in Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division based in Fort Stewart, Ga.
He was scheduled to come home in a few months.
His family said that three weeks before his Humvee was hit by the bomb, killing all four soldiers, Seamans had survived a similar attack. He had told his parents he didn't want to talk about that close call; he just wanted to get past it and keep serving his country.
Under an overcast sky late Friday, Seamans' casket was loaded onto a hearse.
"I believe the rain that we had were the tears of God shining down upon us and blessing us for that moment," David Seamans said.
Funeral services for Seamans will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
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- August 20, 2005: 20-Year-Old Jacksonville Soldier Dies In Iraq