This past weekend the streets of Sistersville were filled with leather-clad bikers astride motorcycles and the roaring sounds of their engines, but they were not here to cause a scene, they were here to pay their respects to a fallen comrade.

Along the road, residents lined up to pay their respects to a man they never knew – some saluted, some waved the American Flag, but all who caught a glimpse of the action were touched by the patriotism that oozed down W.Va. 2 as a 1950s era black Cadillac carried the cremains of a hero to his final resting place.

From the time his B-24 fighter plane was shot down in May 1944 to the day of her death, Dessie Arnett’s only wish was to have her son, Jack, buried in the family plot atop Friendly Hill. And, on May 15, 2010, 66 years to the day of his death, 2nd Lt. Jack S. Arnett was laid to rest, just as his mother had requested.

Those of you who attended the moving ceremony understand how hard it is to put into the words the emotions that were felt during the ceremony.

It was indeed a moment in time that we, at the Tyler Star News, are thankful to have been a part of.

Welcome home, Jack – may you rest in peace.