Community salutes as body of Korean POW returns

BlueRidgeNow.com: Community salutes as body of Korean POW returns
Almost 60 years after he went to fight in the Korean War, Army Pfc. Samuel Kelly Watkins returned to Henderson County on Tuesday. About 150 people gathered at Forest Lawn Funeral Home to welcome the fallen soldier home.

"It's nice to see the community come out to support a man they never knew," said Rob Bittle, vice president of Forest Lawn Funeral Home.

Another 75 to 100 people lined the streets of Hendersonville as the motorcade made its way from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport to Forest Lawn. People waved flags at the corner of Dana Road and Four Seasons Boulevard.

Ann Clingerpeel of Hendersonville got emotional when she tried to speak about the outpouring of support from the community.

"I can't talk about it," she said. "I'll cry. I just think it's great. No matter how long ago it was, they should be honored because they served their country."

"It was really moving coming into town and along the route and a lot of people were waving flags," Bittle said. "People had hands over their hearts. Some people were saluting."

Watkins was a member of the 2nd Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Infantry Division. He was taken as a prisoner of war in North Korea on Feb. 14, 1951. He was presumed dead on March 3, 1954.

Through the Korean War Project, family members have found servicemen missing in action by using DNA to identify remains.

"I just think it's closure for the family," said Ann Watkins of Hendersonville. Samuel Watkins was a first cousin to Ann Watkins' late husband, Gerald Watkins.

Kelly Pittman, whose husband, Jack Pittman, was Samuel Watkins' nephew, added that the family had been working for a long time to bring their loved one home.

"I think it's wonderful that it's being celebrated near Memorial Day," Kelly Pittman added.

A funeral for Watkins will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will start at 1 p.m.

Watkins will be interred near Marine Lance Cpl. Jessie Cassada's memorial bench at the memorial park. Cassada, 19, of Hendersonville, was killed in action Jan. 6, 2009, while serving his country in Afghanistan.