Fallen Hero Returns to Tampa

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Bryan Gatewood
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A U.S. flag-draped casket is unloaded from a plane on MacDill Air Force Base's flight line to the waiting family. A fallen hero returns home having paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

Private 1st Class Paul O. Cuzzupe, 23, died Aug. 8 in Akhtar-Mohammad-Khan, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.

In a final show of respect for their fellow servicemember and support for his family, Team MacDill members lined Florida Keys Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard as the procession passed. Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies escorted the procession to Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home located at 2323 West Brandon Blvd., Brandon, Fla. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday.