Fallen Soldier Laid to Rest at Dunedin Cemetery

A pair of white Clydesdales carried Army Spc. Zachary Lee Shannon's American flag-draped casket to his eternal resting place.

The equestrian-led procession walked his remains slowly beneath an archway of Spanish moss-covered live oaks. Gruff-looking, the Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle group clad in black leather jackets, stood at attention clutching American flags and saluting as the procession clopped by.

Shannon, 21, a U.S. soldier who died March 11 when his helicopter went down in Afghanistan was laid to rest with full military honors Wednesday, March 27, during a solemn, private ceremony inside Dunedin Cemetery.

Doves were released during a service at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens, then close friends and family rode in a 3.5-mile funeral procession south along County Road 1 to the intersection of Virginia Avenue and Beltrees Street.

There, Shannon's remains were transferred onto a horse-drawn caisson and walked north to the cemetery. Deputies who led the motorcade parked outside and stood at attention. About a dozen supporters also stood outside the cemetery entrance to pay their respects as he passed. 

Shannon's family members walked arm-in-arm behind the caisson all the way to the resting place prepared for him in the middle of the historic grave yard.

Shannon's mother and grandparents sat in front of Shannon's remains as the ceremony began.

An officiant prayed to God, asking him to welcome the fallen Dunedin soldier into his arms.

"Before he was ours, he was yours," he said.

A line of military members issued a three-gun volley, causing a baby to cry. A bugler who knew Shannon played "Taps," followed by a bagpiper who played "Amazing Grace."

When the music stopped, sniffles and chirping birds broke the silence.

Military officials folded Shannon's flag into a triangle of blue stars. And ceremoniously handed it to his mother before beginning the process of laying Shannon in the ground.

The officiant prayed again, quoting Genesis 3:19, "For you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Shannon's brothers approached a box that contained their little brother's remains. They each placed an object inside. Older brother Steve Shannon, 25, in full military uniform, tried to hold back emotion.

When they returned to where their family was standing, a man lowered Shannon in the ground and shoveled earth over his remains until the ground was even again. 

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Complete Coverage of Army Spc. Zack Shannon:

• Remember Fallen Dunedin Soldier Spc. Zack Shannon

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