Fallen Soldier Honored With Doves and War Medals at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens

Close family, friends and members of the military honored Army Spc. Zachary Lee Shannon Wednesday morning during a ceremony at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens 9/11 memorial in Palm Harbor. 

The 21-year-old soldier died March 11 when his helicopter went down in Afghanistan. 

U.S. Congressman Bill Young was among those who paid their respects to the fallen soldier. Shannon's parents were presented with war medals and a U.S. flag. The couple also released doves during the ceremony, in honor of their son who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country. 

After the ceremony at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens, Shannon's remains were escorted to the Dunedin Cemetery by 16 Hillsborough County Deputies on motorcycles. Members of Florida's Patriot Guard Riders also participated in the procession that traveled on Curlew Road and then to County Road 1, where it stopped at 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. 

A pair of white Clydesdales carried 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. The Patriot Guard Riders stood at attention clutching American flags and saluting as the procession clopped by.

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 bagpiper 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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