Community turns out for Navy man killed in Iraq

Jim Sheeler, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 13, 2006 at midnight

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The salutes began before the Anderson family stepped onto the tarmac. They came from baggage workers and Transportation and Security Agency employees, from passengers and the flight crew Tuesday evening, as a flag-draped casket made its way down the conveyor belt carrying the body of Navy Hospital Corpsman Christopher Anderson.

The salutes continued from firefighters standing before their flashing firetrucks at Denver International Airport, their arms locked in salutes. Then more than a dozen flags, held by the motorcycle group Patriot Guard, again saluting as the black hearse whisked by.

They were faces the family saw for the next hour during the procession up Interstate 25 back to Longmont. Faces of strangers as people came together to honor the man who gave his life in a place he called "hell on earth," but a place he asked to go to, saddled with the duty of saving injured Marines on the front lines in Iraq.

At the Erie and Dacono exit, firetrucks and paramedics, lights flashing, were parked on the overpass. As the procession turned toward Longmont, the lights burned even brighter.

On Highway 66, cars pulled over along with firefighters, who continued to salute.

Then there was Longmont's Main Street.

At 20th and Main, the flags began. Kids holding plastic flags, Korean War Veterans holding worn American flags, bandana- clad Vietnam veterans holding POW/MIA flags.

At 18th and Main, groups held candles and signs. "God Bless Your Son. Thank You." A boy held his candle to his mother's to light it as the hearse passed.

At 17th and Main, hands over hearts. Hats over hearts.

At 15th and Main, people came out of a restaurant to watch the procession.

Outside, it was about 40 degrees. Still, the crowds continued to line the streets. More children with wobbly salutes. A woman in a walker. A couple that embraced in a hug as soon as the hearse passed.

Then the procession made the last turn, toward Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, where the family gathered to watch the Marines and sailors based at Buckley Air Force Base bring their fallen comrade, where his body will rest before being transferred for burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

Inside the funeral home, the family gathered around the flag- draped casket in silence, then spoke of all the awards the corpsman earned during his time in the service.

"I think the state of Colorado gave him another award tonight," Rick Anderson said of his son. "Not one you can pin on him, but one amazing award."

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