Missouri Navy SEAL to be Buried at Arlington National Cemetery

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Lamb, Naval Special Warfare Public Affairs

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Several of the military personnel killed in the helicopter crash in Afghanistan Aug. 5 will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Aug. 26.

The late Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Matthew David Mason is one of the service members who will be buried.

Mason was honored in his hometown of Kearney, Mo., by those whom he knew and loved Aug. 15. Hundreds of people solemnly lined the streets of Kearney as the hearse bearing Mason brought him home.

Kearney residents tied yellow ribbons around streetlight posts and trees and waved American flags to honor Mason.

Nearly 1,500 friends and neighbors in the city visited Mason's wife, children and parents during a service at Kearney First United Methodist Church Aug. 16. Together they mourned the loss of the local hero who was a standout athlete and college graduate. The next day an additional 1,000 people paid their respects during a service at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan.

Rear Adm. Sean A. Pybus, commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, said Naval Special Warfare is, "truly blessed that such men answer a call to military service at the highest levels of professionalism and capability," and the community is deeply saddened by this loss.