Ceremony to honor Navy SEAL killed in combat

[dvpj]

I'll be going. PM if anyone else needs or wants directions.


Ceremony to honor Navy SEAL killed in combat


Neil Roberts was killed in Afghanistan

By TOM JOYCE
Daily Record/Sunday News

Feb 26, 2006 — Navy SEAL Petty Officer 1st Class Neil C. Roberts was on his own at the end. A momentary mishap - a tumble from a helicopter - left him stranded on a mountain, cut off from his comrades in a distant, hostile land. And that's where he died.
Jeffrey Hines wants to make sure that Roberts isn't similarly abandoned at his final resting place in North York's Prospect Hill Cemetery. So Hines is organizing a memorial service for Roberts, who died in Afghanistan on March 4, 2002.

"Here's a man who served his country, who died alone," Hines said. "We don't want to keep it that way."

The Supreme Sacrifice Committee of the York County Joint Veterans Council is sponsoring the ceremony, which will take place 11 a.m. Saturday at Prospect Hill Cemetery. It won't be anything very elaborate, Hines said. He'll say a few words. A bugler will play taps. He plans to have the whole thing wrapped up within 20 minutes.

Still, Hines said he and his fellow committee members intend to make the ceremony an annual event. Hines himself is a former U.S. Army major who was serving in Afghanistan at the same time as Roberts.

The Joint Veterans Council, Hines said, comprises 47 different veteran's groups in York County, including Gold Star Mothers as well as VFW and American Legion posts. The Supreme Sacrifice Committee, he said, includes seven members dedicated to making sure that residents from the area who die in war get a proper tribute.

Hines is unsure how long the committee has been around. It will be dormant for years at a time, he said, but reformed with the outbreak of the first Persian Gulf War and the conflicts in Afghanistan, then Iraq.

As with doctors or undertakers, Hines said, it might be preferable when his committee has nothing to do. But sometimes their work is necessary.

"You're here in case you're needed, but you hope you're not needed," Hines said.

Roberts, 32, of Woodland, Calif., was shot and killed by al-Qaida forces after he fell from a helicopter during a battle in the Kharwar Mountains of Afghanistan. His wife, Patricia, was born and raised in York County.

A subsequent investigation showed that Roberts survived the fall but was killed by al-Qaida fighters. Evidence showed he had tried to fight the enemy and probably held out for 90 minutes to two hours.

The Navy posthumously awarded him a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star, with the combat distinguishing device.

"We've actually got this national hero here in York, resting peacefully in Prospect Hill Cemetery, and very few people know about it," Hines said.

Reach Tom Joyce at 771-2089 or tjoyce@ydr.com.



If you go

Event: Remembrance service for Navy SEAL Petty Officer 1st Class Neil C. Roberts.

Time: 11 a.m., March 4.

Location: Prospect Hill Cemetery, North York (Take Pennsylvania Avenue entrance to first intersection, grave just beyond on left).

[dvpj]

The memorial for PO Roberts was well attended.
Members of Pattie's family, and several of her classmates were present. The local VVA were there along with several other organizations. The color guard was provided by the Sea Scouts, and the bugler was excellent. Major Hines said a few words, and US Rep. Scott Platts (R) spoke at the end. Major Hines was in Bagram at the time of Operation Anadonda as an engineer.

I was moved and so too were many around me. The location of PO Roberts grave is prominant as it should be. Major Hines promised to do this every year.


My picture upload keeps failing, so when I get it straightened out I'll post them.