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Body of Fallen Hero Returns To River Valley

Hartford native killed in line of duty in Afghanistan

Family, friends and even strangers were at the 188th in Fort Smith to welcome home SPC. Robert Allan Pierce from Hartford.

"You hear the saying 'Oh, it doesn't seem real,'” said Pierce’s brother Kyle Dart. “Well that's really what it is you think you're gonna, twitch, and wake up and it's going to be a dream."

Pierce and his unit was hit by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan on June 3. Dart says the loss of his younger has been heart breaking for his family but he says he knows his brother would tell his family to be strong.

"It's an honor for us be able to take part and help honor and respect our military people," said Curtis Gallaway.

One man who never even knew Pierce, mounted a flag at the Wing showing his support for the family and military.

"When they fall, it affects us all because freedom is on their backs, they carry it for us,” said David Buns. “It hurts when we lose one so we do feel like we know them even though we don't know them personally."

The Pierce family will miss their son but they say he will forever be remembered as a hero. Pierce is survived by his wife Christian M. Pierce of Huntington, Ark., and his parents, Randy R. Pierce of Panama, Okla., and Lonnetta R. Dart of Hartford, Ark.

Pierce was a member of the 101st airborne division, based in Fort Campbell, Ky.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 15, at Community Bible Church, 9201 Dallas Street, with burial at Roselawn Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Nelfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

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