Hundreds Line Pinehurst for Dunedin Fallen Hero Escort

Hundreds lined Pinehurst Road in Dunedin to pay their respects to fallen soldier Army Spc. Zack Shannon as his remains were escorted through the area on Monday.

Shannon, 21, was one of five soldiers who died when his helicopter went down during a night vision operation in Afghanistan on March 11.

The homecoming crowd stretched along Pinehurst Road on both sides in front of Shannon's alma mater Dunedin High School. 

Fire trucks from Dunedin, and as far as Largo and Tarpon Springs, gathered at the southern end of the street. Ladder trucks were used to form an arch, with a flag to welcome the hero's deputy-escorted procession from MacDill Air Force Base. 

In between city officials, former and current neighbors, former classmates and even residents who never met Shannon lined up. The American Legion handed out small American flags to bystanders. 

An archway at the northern side of the road was formed using Bright House vans with a boom lift mount. Workers inside the raised boom lifts held the American flag in place for Shannon's arrival for two hours.

More Coverage of Army Spc. Zack Shannon:

• Remember Fallen Dunedin Soldier Spc. Zack Shannon

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