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FORTY FORT — Swoyersville Mayor Chris Concert never met Shannon Purcell.

But when he heard that Purcell, who died May 6 while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Japan, was being brought back to the Wyoming Valley early Tuesday morning, he knew he had to do something.

So there Concert was at 1 a.m., holding a candle and a couple of American flags as the motorcade carrying Purcell’s body went by on its way to the Wroblewski Funeral Home.

“I believe you support our military,” Concert said. “To have these people come out shows a lot of dedication.”

Concert wasn’t alone. There was barely a spot along Wyoming Avenue that wasn’t taken by someone holding a candle or flag.

“It’s a nice tribute to escort her home,” he said.

The motorcade was escorted by several police cruisers and motorcycles and included fire engines. It went from the Philadelphia airport to the Cross Valley Expressway, then to Rutter Avenue, River Street and Wyoming Avenue before reaching the funeral home.

Purcell, 18, who graduated from Wyoming Valley West High School in 2016, drowned after slipping and falling about 15 feet into the Tanaga Gumui basin in Okinawa, according to a news release from the military.

Purcell, assigned to the 18th Munitions Squadron at Kadena Air Base, was visiting Aha Falls, a popular hiking and cliff-jumping spot for service members and tourists. She was among a group of 11 who arrived at the waterfall at 11 a.m. on May 6, the news release said.

Forty Fort Mayor Andy Tuzinski posted on Facebook Monday evening, asking residents along the motorcade route to leave their porch lights on “as a sign of respect and comfort for the family.”

Concert ordered the borough to lower its flag to half-staff Monday to honor Purcell. He said he wanted to honor her and was glad to see people come out to pay their respects to Purcell and her family.

Purcell is survived in her immediate family by her parents — Dave and Georganne Purcell — and her sister, Rikki.

According to Purcell’s obituary, relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Wroblewski Funeral Home. An additional viewing will be Friday from 9:15 a.m. until her funeral service at 10.

She will be buried at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in Hanover Township.

A photo of Shannon Purcell obtained on Facebook.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_14432968_1408973712454044_8339995834057577199_n-12.jpg.optimal.jpgA photo of Shannon Purcell obtained on Facebook.

Times Leader staff report

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Video Caption: Motorcade escorting Shannon Purcell, who died while serving with the U.S. Air Force in Japan.
Video Credit: Brigid Edmunds
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