R.I.P. Pfc. Robert K. L. Repkie

Army Pfc. Robert K. L. Repkie
Died June 24, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

20, of Knoxville, Tenn.; assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died June 24 at Forward Operating Base Farah, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained in a noncombat-related incident

(The following was taken from www.knoxnews.com of July 8, 2010) ALCOA - Robert K.L. Repkie's final return to his East Tennessee home was met Wednesday by hundreds of solemn salutes and a relentless July sun.

Army Pfc. Repkie, 20, of Knoxville, was killed in a noncombat incident in Afghanistan on June 24 at Forward Operating Base Farah, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. His body arrived home in a flag-draped casket via a small chartered jet Wednesday morning at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, accompanied by his father, Russell Repkie.

Family members and about 60 uniformed members of the armed services stood silently near the tarmac as the casket was removed from the aircraft. A white-gloved honor guard acted as pallbearers.

Hundreds of uniformed military personnel lined the exit route from the base and silently saluted as Repkie's hearse rolled slowly by, accompanied by a phalanx of police motorcycles and cruisers from Blount County, Alcoa and other agencies.

The circumstances of Repkie's death have not been released, except that it was not combat related.

Repkie had attended Sweetwater High School in Monroe County and is said to have kept in touch with former classmates and teachers through Facebook and MySpace. He told them he worked as a cook and planned to take online college courses when he returned.

The soldier was assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, N.C.

On arrival in East Tennessee, Repkie's body was taken to Mynatt Funeral Home in Fountain City, accompanied by about two dozen motorcyclists of the Patriot Guard. An 8 p.m. Sunday service will be held at the funeral home, and family will receive friends 5-8 p.m. prior to the service.

Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery