26, of Valdosta, Ga.; assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 11, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.; died April 6 from enemy action while conducting combat operations near Kirkuk, Iraq. Also killed were Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal (Diver) Gregory J. Billiter and Explosive Ordnance Disposal 2nd Class (Diver) Curtis R. Hall.

 

YORK -- It was pure silence as the cold wind blew across York's municipal airport. Silence until the undeniable sound of an airplane broke through and eyes were raised to the white chartered jet as it broke through the clouds.

        As it circled, preparing to land, the Navy escort in their crisp blues stood at attention, white gloves crisply poised at their brows. The police officers removed their hats, state patrol and sheriff's officials put their hands behind their backs. The Patriot Riders made sure the flags on their bikes were fully unfurled. And York College officials stood with solemn looks on their faces as they prepared to welcome home one of their own.

 

A slight whisper from the crowd, numbering less than 40, said that they didn't want this to be the way Adam McSween came back to York. But the stark reality is that this is exactly how it had to be, after the young man was killed a week ago Friday near Kirkuk, Iraq.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph (Adam) McSween was a 2001 graduate of York College, who went on to be an explosive specialist. Friends, such as Jared Stark, assistant dean of student at the college, said McSween always expressed an interest in defending his country.

He always wanted to be in the military.

 

Dr. Wayne Baker, president of the college, said earlier this week that he was so touched and moved that it was McSween's wishes to be buried in York, if something were to happen to him while deployed. He was a native of Georgia. His wife, Erin (also a graduate of York College) was originally from Iowa and she lived in Washington State. Dr. Baker said the two considered York to be their home. And yesterday, Baker and hundreds of others paid tribute to McSween and proved that the young couple's feelings were true . . . this is their home.

 

 The plane touched down and rolled to a stop near the entourage that was waiting -- a York police car, motorcycles and their riders, the silver hearse, his fellow members of the Navy. Silence prevailed as the airplane's hatch opened and gently the flag-draped coffin bearing McSween's body was placed on a special lift. The honor guard carefully lifted the coffin upon command and carried it to the hearse. The long trip from a military facility in Dover, Del., was officially over -- but there was still the trek into the city where hundreds waited to pay their respects.

 

The procession turned onto Highway 34, with cruiser lights flashing, flags waving from rumbling motorcycles and yet there was quiet reverence. North and southbound traffic was stopped on the bypass, as semi drivers and other motorists sat waiting -- also quietly paying their respects.

 

   As the procession moved closer to the city, the high-reaching aerial trucks at Nebraska Public Power District could be spotted -- four of them reaching to the sky with Old Glory blowing in the wind. Workers on both sides of the highway stood with their hands over their hearts -- as work halted briefly at NPPD, Kroy Industries, Kroy Building Products and other companies on the industrial side of town. As hundreds of people stood across and down the street, members of the U.S. Navy carried the body of Adam McSween into Metz Mortuary, where it will lie in state until funeral services on Tuesday.

 

The service will be held at the auditorium at 10:30 a.m., with the burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery. And slowly, they made their way onto Lincoln Avenue where they were greeted by school children, hospital workers, truck drivers, grocery store baggers, parts store owners, civil servants, downtown retailers, bankers, farmers, the elderly, the young.

 

Flags waved as far as the eye could see -- Bruce Wagner said he estimated several hundred flags were dispersed yesterday morning as volunteers made sure the color of York was red, white and blue, and anyone who wanted to hold a flag was able to do so. When the entourage reached Metz Mortuary on South Lincoln Avenue, scores of people stood quietly, across and down the street, as the military honor guard removed the casket and carried it inside.

 

McSween is survived by his wife, Erin, and daughters, Lily, 5, and Gwyneth, 2. He is the son of Bob and Florence McSween, and the brother of Robert, Kyle and Angela. McSween was also the guy that his friends say "had a kind heart, a great smile, fabulous Southern accent and a compassionate soul."

 

And while many in the crowd yesterday morning may not have known him personally, it didn't matter. He was one of them, and this was the place he called home.