Hometown fallen hero

WEST PALM BEACH — The wind blowing across the tarmac at Palm Beach International Airport this morning allowed the American flags to wave by themselves.

The vision of the white Kalitta Charters plane carrying the body of fallen U.S. Army Pfc. Michael Metcalf rolling toward them, caused the Boynton Beach soldier's family, friends and supporters to become silent.

And watching the pallbearers gently put her son's coffin in a restored Vietnam War-era helicopter made Kimberly Metcalf softly say to herself, "beautiful."

The 22-year-old Metcalf died on April 22 in Paktia, Afghanistan, when he drove over a roadside bomb while attempting to rescue other soldiers who had just done the same.

Beginning at about 9 a.m. today, some 60 loved ones gathered at the airport near Galaxy Aviation for his homecoming service.

Metcalf was known as a lover of bull riding, and some friends showed respect by donning cowboy hats and boots. Others held the American flag high and snapped photos.

"I can't believe all the people," Kimberly Metcalf said while waiting for her son to arrive. "My son would. He's in his glory. He really sees how many people loved him."

Good friends of Michael Metcalf - Jaclyn Murray, Brooke Lintner and Mandy Eichorst - created "Welcome Home" signs and laid them along a fence outlining the tarmac.

"Mike was a hero," said Lintner, 22. "So whether you knew him or not, it's nice people are coming out to pay their respects."

Eichorst wore a cowboy hat and tan cowboy boots to honor Metcalf, who she has known since elementary school, she said.

"He was a class clown. Always making people laugh," she said. "I wish his homecoming was a little bit different, but I'll see him again."

Brandon O'Keefe, 24, felt the same.

He, along with four or five other friends, stood by the helicopter after Metcalf's coffin was placed into it.

Before the helicopter was taken away, the friends walked up to the window and said a prayer. They all quietly kissed their hands and gently placed them on the window.

"Mike was our best friend," O'Keefe said. "He'll always be with us."

On Friday, the family will hold a visitation from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Glick Family Funeral Home in Boca Raton.

Metcalf's funeral service will take place at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at First Boynton Baptist Church.

Both events will be open to the public.

So sad. :sad: