Tampa, Florida — The remains of Army Staff Sergeant Matthew Sitton will return to Tampa Bay on Friday, and his widow is hoping for a big reception.
Members of SSG Sitton’s family say they’ve had their private time.
Now, they’re hoping our community — all of us — will join together and honor his sacrifice as his body is taken on a procession and brought to its final resting place.
Staff Sergeant Matthew Sitton was 26 years old, from Largo. The proud dad of a 9-month old son.
A roadside bomb took his life in Afghanistan.
His wife Sarah told us her whole world has just stopped. Every plan, every comfort is gone.
Sitton held his son Brodey for the last time before he deployed in February. Sitton’s mom said she has “cried so much” — but she “is so proud.”
His teachers at Indian Rocks Christian School shared their memories with us of Sitton as a caring and charismatic student.
Sitton told his coach there he believed God created him to fight for our country.
Sitton’s family traveled to Dover Air Force Base to be there when his remains returned to the United States.
The arrival was solemn and intimate, with just family members present. His wife is hoping for a different atmosphere Friday morning in Tampa Bay.
Sarah Sitton said she hopes many people line the procession route to honor her hero husband as his body is brought through Tampa and central Pinellas County.
The procession escorting SSG Sitton’s body to its final rest is expected to leave the Bayshore Gate of MacDill Air Force Base at around 10:50 on Friday morning.
It will head north on Bayshore, then east over the Platt Street Bridge. From there, it’s north on Florida Avenue, east on Jackson, to Jefferson, then Twiggs, and eventually to Channelside Drive.
After heading east on State Road 60 into Ybor City, the procession will go north on 22nd St. to reach I-4 West and I-275 South.
In Pinellas County, they’ll take Ulmerton Road to Indian Rocks Road, and go north on Indian Rocks Road to the Hubbell Funeral Home.
A fund has been set up to help pay for their little boy’s education in the future. If you’d like to contribute, send a check payable to Brodey Steven Sitton to UBS, 150 2nd Avenue N., St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Source: Grayson Kamm, 10 News
