Fallen soldier, Sgt. Breonna Moffett, returns home to Savannah

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - People started lining the streets outside the 165th Airlift Wing around 9:30 a.m. Thursday for fallen soldier Sgt. Breonna Moffett’s return home.

There were soldiers from the 165th, as well as veterans, off-duty police officers and just community members.

The plane carrying Sgt. Moffett’s body landed around 10:50 a.m. Soldiers from the 381st Engineering Squadron were the ones to take the casket off the plane and carry it to the hearse.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, as well as Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, were present for the transfer.

In speaking with the folks in attendance, including current military members and veterans, it’s clear the Windsor Forest community showed out today. Sgt. Moffett was a Windsor Forest alum and had been in the JROTC and a drum major in the band.

“It’s a remorseful day. We’re all kind of getting close with God and understanding what the family is going through. Personally, Sgt. Moffett went to my high school, Windsor Forest High School, so you start thinking about the southside of Savannah, Windsor Forest, and how we can support their community and their family as an extended family here in the military,” 165h Airlift Wing Mission Support Group Commander Col. Ryan Hampton said.

“Their daughter is a veteran. A hero, and that makes them a Gold Star family now. As sad as it may be, that family has us. Not only are they going to have the veterans, but my whole neighborhood in Windsor Forest is also willing to do anything they can to help,” 184 Riders director, Jeff Tuck said.

The procession continued into downtown Savannah, where folks were lining the streets before the procession ended at Campbell and Sons Funeral Home.

Those who gathered to view the procession say they wanted Sgt. Moffett’s family to feel the support from this community. Many lined Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd from Bay Street all the way to Gwinnett Street.

While some said they have relatives in the military, many had no connection to the armed forces at all but said it was still important they pay their respects.

Somber was how people said they felt as they watched the hearse, and several law enforcement officials drive by. Onlookers describe this as a sad day, particularly because of how young Sgt. Moffett was, just 23 years old.

Despite her age, those young and old came out to pay their respects. Including one woman who said she wanted to honor the ultimate sacrifice Sgt. Moffett made.

“It’s all about respect. This young lady gave her life for us to have freedom and I just want to appreciate her. And if this is the way I can do it, I’m going do it this way today,” Trudy Jones said.

Groups of people surrounded Forsyth Park and the funeral home on Park Avenue to pay their respects to Sgt. Moffett. People carried American flags and lined the route to show their support for Moffett’s family.

Many said they knew her, and they wanted to properly honor her by coming to Thursday’s procession.

“Well, it’s important to support the family, because she is one of our own. She’s one of our soldiers. So, I thought it was important for us to be down here. I mean, it gives me great pride to be here,” Savannah resident Elaine Boyington said.

“This is important to support our military, the family needs our strength. God bless them,” Savannah resident Stanley Swan said.

Funeral services for Sgt. Moffett will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. at Jonesville Baptist Church. A visitation will be held on Friday, Feb. 16 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., also at Jonesville Baptist Church.

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