Bryan Bell Laid to Rest
USAF Senior Airman Bryan Bell was laid to rest today at Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery more than a week after he was fataly injured in Afghanistan.
Nearly 800 people filled Harborcreek High School's auditorium for todays service. Family, friends, firefighters and fellow members of the US Air Force celebrated Bryan's life. Bryan's sister Candace provided the eulogy. His best friend Firefighter Rich Pottorf read the Fireman's Prayer. Top USAF brass presented Bryan's wife with his military awards which included a Purple Heart.
A nine mile route from the school to the cemetery was lined with over 200 vehicles including several fire aparatus. The route was started with an arch made by aerials from Lawrence Park and Crescent Fire Department's. All along the route hundreds of on lookers were waiving the American flag in honor of Bryan. The procession drove past Fairfield's fire station where firefighters from several departments were on hand to pay their respects along with firefighters and apparatus that were located at Buffalo Road and Nagle Roads. Another arch was presented in front of the Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery made by the aerials from Belle Valley Tower 369 and Brookside Truck 249.
Fire departments who particpated in the procession were limited to East County departments. Of course all of Fairfield's apparatus were involved. The procession also included Belle Valley, Brookside, Lawrence Park, Harborcreek, Kuhl Hose, Wesleyville, Crescent, Fuller, Millcreek Paramedics and Emergycare.
The grave site service was a full military honors ceremony. A USAF plane flew overhead and a 21 gun salute were included.
Tower 369 and Truck 249 making an arch