Family and friends of U. S. Army Sergeant 1st Class David G. Robinson as well as about 100 members of Patriot Guards and Axeman Club motorcycle members gathered at Waukegan Regional Airport Sunday morning Nov. 6 to greet his final flight home.
David Robinson, son of Dennis and Marijo Robinson of Winthrop Harbor returned to Zion Sunday in a very sad ending to his 28 year life. Robinson’s journey home began from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia after he was killed Oct. 25 in a non-combat situation still under investigation. He was first flown to Germany where he was prepared for burial before he was shipped to Dover Air Force base in Delaware before the last leg of his journey to Waukegan Regional Airport. From the Texas home the couple had shared, Emily, his wife of 8 ½ years, met his flight from Germany where she was joined by David’s father and two brothers Gregory and Michael from this area.
Upon arrival at Waukegan Regional Airport Sunday, Nov 6, his coffin was transferred to Congdon’s hearse and driven into a hanger for private moments with family before emerging for a 2 ½ hour ride through his Winthrop Harbor neighborhood and past his Kenosha high school; St. Joseph’s Academy on 69th Street.
Many along the route ran out into their yards, some pajama and robe clad, to solemnly and respectfully watch, salute and hold hands over hearts as his procession passed through their neighborhoods and city streets.
Along the entire circuitous 35 mile route from the Waukegan airport, two patriot motorcycle groups as well as vehicles of numerous friends escorted the hearse to Congdon’s, where military lined up on foot along the building front as military pall bearers carried him into the funeral home where the visitation would take place on Monday, Nov 7.
Besides his parents and wife Emily, Robinson leaves two sons behind: Matthew, age 7 and 4-year-old Jackson. Also his two brothers Gregory of Winthrop Harbor and Michael of Kenosha. A stillborn brother, Joseph, preceded him in death.
Monday morning, Larry Eckhardt better known as The Flagman, began planting flags en route from Congdon’s along both sides of Wadsworth Rd. just west of Our Lady of Humility where the Mass would take place the next day.
Eckhardt, who began this to honor military about six years ago, said he was inspired to do so after seeing a military funeral and thinking there weren’t enough American flags there. At his own expense, he purchased the 1150 flags he owns and carries to such occasions in a van, but says if it weren’t for the volunteers in each place, it certainly couldn’t be done.
He drives anywhere within what he considers a feasible driving distance to honor military and their grieving families. A resident of the small Illinois town of Little York, he drove 230miles to Zion and habitually drives similar distances including to Indiana to fulfill this purpose.
He says he never served in the military himself, but this is his way of giving back a little. He has been given the VFW Patriotic Citizen of the Year award-2011 and is the Medal of Honor winner of 2011 from Daughters of the American Revolution.
He wants to thank the city of Zion for being so wonderful to him and his volunteers. “They didn’t have to send out two trucks to help protect my volunteers, but they did. And they gave us vests to wear for today. They are super people and so are my volunteers,” of which he said he had about 12 today.
The flags did bring comfort and gratitude to the Robinson family. David’s father, Dennis Robinson said he was overwhelmed by the gesture, kindness and thoughtfulness of them, as well as the outpouring of support from the communities, describing it as an indescribable feeling for which there are no words.
