MASON CITY – In honor of Jon Tumilson, Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class, age 35 of Rockford, hundreds of people were out at the Mason City airport to welcome the plane that returned his remains home.
Tumilson was one of many Navy Seals killed when their helicopter was downed in Afghanistan.
Many people watched, teary eyed and holding the American Flag proudly, as the plane landed. They waited patiently as they transferred Tumilson from the plane to the white hearse that would be taking him home to Rockford.
Tumilson’s family invited everybody to come and join in the motorcade, to show their respect for this Navy Seal that gave his life for his country. With this invitation, there were people lined up throughout the whole area from the airport, down Interstate 35 and the Avenue of the Saints to watch the procession of motorcycles and vehicles.
One lady that was watching the procession from the Jonquil overpass said, “This is so sad, sorry for the tears. I had a daughter in the military, she was a Captain when she got out. Her husband knew Jon. It is a very sad day for everyone.”
The funeral for Tumilson will be held this Friday at the Rudd-Rockford-Marble Community School gymnasium. “I don’t think it’s going to be big enough,” said one lady at the airport. “There’s going to be a lot of people that will want to be there.”
