Community Corner

Motorcyclists Ride in Respect for Fallen Soldier

Florida's Patriot Guard Riders rode Monday in the escort of fallen Dunedin soldier Zack Shannon's remains from MacDill Air Force Base to Curlew Hills Memory Gardens.

Motorcyclists thundered past hundreds of supporters along Pinehurst Road in Dunedin Monday.

They rode in from as far as Sarasota, Orlando, North Port and Lakeland for fallen Dunedin soldier Spc. Zack Shannon.

Florida's Patriot Guard Riders — 75 in all — followed the soldier's remains the entire deputy-escorted route from MacDill Air Force Base to Curlew Hills Memory Gardens.

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Shannon, 21, was one of five soldiers who died March 11 when their helicopter went down during a night vision operation in Afghanistan. The motorcycle riders, who did not know Shannon, wanted his family and the Dunedin community to know they care.

The Patriot riders are invited to attend funeral services of U.S. military members who die in service to the country. They are there to shield the family from protesters. 

Find out what's happening in Dunedinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Thomas "T-Man" Brown, a Largo resident who is assistant captain of Florida's Patriot Guard Riders, a nationwide organization, said providing the service means a lot to them.

"They came for this, just to show their respect for our fallen hero," he said.

Learn more about the Patriot Guard Riders

More Coverage of Army Spc. Zack Shannon:

  • Remember Fallen Dunedin Soldier Spc. Zack Shannon

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