Public urged to pay respects during today's procession for fallen soldier

Tampa Bay Online TBO ^ | 11/04/09 | TBO staff

[jwparkerjr]

TAMPA - The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will lead a full escort on Thursday for the procession carrying the casket of U.S. Army Spec. Eric Lembke, who died last month while serving in Afghanistan.

Lembke was raised in Plant City and graduated from Plant City High School. He was 25.

The casket will arrive at MacDill Air Force Base at around 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

[jwparkerjr]

I plan to be along the route this afternoon. Tampa has a group of ladies who call themselves the "Bayshore Patriots" and have for years been gathering along Bayshore Blvd., a main route into MacDill AFB, waving flags and showing their appreciation and support for the thousands of cars that pass them every day headed for the base.

They have become sort of local heroes with their actions despite rain or other inclement weather. Don't have to worry much about sleet and snow here, but our thunderstorms can be very impressive, especially right there along the shores of Tampa Bay.

Don't know how much there will be to photograph, but I will get what I can and post them to my website.

[STARWISE]

God bless this hero .. and grant comfort
to his loved ones. We can never repay
them for their sacrifice and valor.