WWII Airman Returns Home 70 Years After his Death (included video)

At Melrose Market, the windows facing the street were decorated with American flags and a sign that read: "Thank you and Welcome Home Sgt. Dominick Licari." Organizations and business owners along Route 5 posted signs in Licari's honor Friday. 

The World War II airman died in combat almost 70 years ago in the South Pacific, but his remains were only recently identified. Finally, at just after 9 p.m., he returned home to Frankfort, 70 miles west of Albany.

"We just thought it would be a nice tribute for him for giving his life for our country," said grocery store owner Linda LaValla. "It's good to know that they take the time years later to find our servicemen and bring them home. It's closure for everybody." 

Veterans' groups, businesses and residents along a 10-mile stretch of New York's Mohawk Valley paid tribute to Licari. Honor guards from Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion chapters were posted along Route 5 as the vehicle procession carrying his casket left the New York State Thruway at Little Falls and traveled to Frankfort, funeral director Vincent Iocovozzi told The Associated Press.

A commercial flight carrying his casket arrived at the Albany airport and military pall bearers carried the casket from the plane to the hearse Friday evening, Iocovozzi said. Licari's brother, sister and several nieces and nephews were at the airport to accompany his casket back home, with the Patriot Guard motorcycle riders providing an escort, the funeral director said.

Read the rest of the story HERE and view an Amateur video below of his arrival home in Frankfort, NY:

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