Thousands Turn Out to Honor a Fallen Soldier from El Dorado County with Hero's Welcome (Video)

Thursday, 8/16/12: Members of the community came out and showed their support in the procession.  The community lined overcrossings and streets to show the family that they support them during this very tragic time. 

Sky's family was comforted Thursday by the outpouring of support from El Dorado County residents and others who waved flags from Highway 50 overpasses and lined streets in El Dorado Hills as a motorcade bearing the young Marine's body passed en route from McClellan Air Park to Green Valley Mortuary.

His son would have been gratified by the outpouring of community support, Russ Mote said.   Sky Mote was devoted to his family, particularly his four brothers. "His brothers were his priority," Russ Mote said.

Staff Sgt. Mote’s body arrived at McClellan Air Field at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday.  The family of SSGT Sky Mote,  & the USMC brought him home on Thursday, August 16th. Staging began at 4:15PM at 3208 Peacekeeper Way, McClellan Air Park in N.Highlands. Immediately following the arrival of the aircraft and his transfer to the hearse, he was be escorted to Green Valley Mortuary in Rescue, CA. (Corner of Bass Lake and Green Valley Road).

The procession to Green Valley Mortuary and Cemetery began at approximately 5 p.m. The route will be along Highway 50, and detoured at El Dorado Hills Boulevard to go past Rolling Hills Middle School, where Mote’s father, Russell, is a teacher.

Sky attended Silva Valley Elementary and Rolling Hills Middle schools in El Dorado Hills, and Union Mine High School in his hometown of El Dorado. The motorcade traveled along Silva Valley Parkway, past Silva Valley and Rolling Hills schools, between 6 and 6:30 p.m.

Mote's parents, Russ and Marcia Mote of El Dorado, teach at Rolling Hills Middle School and Brooks Elementary School, respectively.

Russ Mote said his son Tim, who is serving in the Army, accompanied his younger brother today on his final flight from Dover Air Force Base to McClellan Airfield.

Gov. Jerry Brown has ordered flags at the State Capitol to be flown at half-mast for a second day in a row, this time in honor of fallen Marine Staff Sgt. Sky R. Mote.

The governor and First Lady Anne Gust Brown also extended their condolences to Mote’s family, and will be sending a letter of condolence.

Sunday, 8/19/12: Hundreds of people marched behind a horse-drawn wagon carrying the body of fallen Marine Sgt. Sky Mote in Cameron Park Sunday evening.

At 6:30 pm, a procession started at Blue Oak Elementary School where the young Marine once attended class. The procession walked to Faith Episcopal Church, 2200 Cameron Park Drive, Cameron Park. People met at Blue Oak, line the street along the way, and wait at the church. The procession itself starts at 6:30; service will be immediately thereafter. 

An honor guard of fellow Marines marched with the wagon, followed by family, friends and hundreds of members of the community.

“I wanted to show respect for this young man who gave his life for our freedom”, said Maggie Davis of Cameron Park. Along the procession route, school children, youth sports teams and many residents with flags stood to honor the native son. The procession ended at Faith Episcopal Church where an overflow crowd gathered for a memorial service.

It was greeted by a flyover salute from local pilots who painted the sky with smoke.  The low-level fly over of a vintage military aircraft was scheduled to take place Sunday night at 6:30 p.m. in the Green Valley region of El Dorado County.  The flyover was organized in conjunction with Graveside Services to honor  and his family.

During the service, family and fellow Marines remembered the 27-year-old Marine who was killed in Afghanistan on August 10th.

They said he always had a positive attitude and was an avid outdoorsman who showed determination and dedication.

Related Story: Union Mine High School Track Star turned Marine was Killed while Serving in Afghanistan on Friday
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