North Ogden prepares for a military service member's funeral - again
NORTH OGDEN, Utah (KUTV) — This week, North Ogden prepares to say goodbye to a military hero for the third time in eight months.
Community members are invited to show support for the family of Sgt. First Class Elliott Robbins, a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces who died on June 30 from a non-combat-related injury in Afghanistan.
On Thursday, the funeral service for Sgt. Robbins begins at 11 a.m. at St. James the Just Catholic Church in Ogden. At around noon, the procession will begin toward Ben Lomond Cemetery.
Members of the community are invited to line the procession route to the cemetery to show support for the Robbins family.
It's been a year of big losses for a small community of only 20,000 residents.
On July 6, Jared Michael Reaves, an active duty member of the U.S. Coast Guard, died in Chicago after battling leukemia.
Reaves' parents live in North Ogden, according to Jon Call, North Ogden City manager.
Before that, in November, the community was heartbroken when its young mayor, Major Brent Taylor, an officer with the Utah National Guard, was killed in Afghanistan.
Kirk Chugg, with the local non-profit group Follow the Flag, said volunteers will install 200 flags along the procession route for Robbins' funeral.
The organization, with two chapters in Utah, displays flags at special occasions like parades and Veteran's Day events to inspire patriotism. They also show up with flags to honor fallen military members, whether active duty or retired.
Chugg wants the Robbins family to feel the love from their community on the day of their loved one's funeral.
"It's important to show our support for the family because they've lost a loved one protecting our country. Most of us don't have to do that, " Chugg said.
