Procession In New Hampshire Honors Air Force Officer Killed In Afghanistan
HUDSON, N.H. (CBS) – A procession in New Hampshire Wednesday morning honored an Air Force officer who was killed in a plane crash in Afghanistan.
United States Air Force Captain Ryan Phaneuf, 30, of Hudson, was one of two Air Force officers killed when their electronic surveillance plane went down January 27. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but authorities said there's no indication it was an enemy attack.
Phaneuf graduated from Alvirne High School in 2007.
His body arrived at the Nashua Airport just before 10 a.m. Wednesday. The Hudson and Nashua Police and Fire Departments then escorted the hearse to the Dumont Sullivan Funeral Home in Hudson.
HAPPENING NOW: A procession through #Hudson New Hampshire, for Air Force Captain Ryan Phaneuf. Phaneuf's body is returning to his hometown, after his death in Afghanistan last month. He was one of two Air Force officers killed when their surveillance plane went down. @wbz pic.twitter.com/UdquleW2MS
— Michelle Fisher (@MichelleFisher) February 26, 2020
Dozens lined the procession route to pay their respects. Those who didn't know Phaneuf personally said it was important to honor his service as the procession passed through the two towns.
"I don't think the guys in the military get enough respect as it is," Hudson resident Jim Freed told WBZ-TV.
"The price that military families pay, I think that's really important to keep in mind," said Carol Devitt of Nashua.
A wake will be held in Hudson Friday. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning at St. Kathryn's Church on Dracut Road in Hudson.
According to his obituary, Phaneuf will receive full military honors in a private burial in Arlington National Cemetery on March 9.