SILO, OK-Dozens of family and friends gathered to say their last goodbyes to Michael David Copeland Tuesday morning, nearly a month after he died in Iraq. Tuesday, he was finally laid to rest in Silo, Oklahoma.
Days after his body was flown back to the U.S. and brought home to Oklahoma, Michael David Copeland has finally been laid to rest. I spoke with friends and family who said they want his story to be told and his memory to live on.
Michael David Copeland is finally home.
His body arriving at Silo Restland Cemetery to salutes of fellow veterans and the tears of family and friends.
"Michael David was just an amazing, unselfish individual. He loved his family more than anything in the world and he worked so hard to provide a future for them and that's one of the things that I admire about him the most," said Copeland's cousin, Brent Berry.
Members of the Marine Corps paid tribute to Michael David, presenting the American flag to Copeland's family. And the Patriot Guard Riders also presented them with a plaque, honoring his 13-year military service.
"We're just very proud to have him home and very proud to be part of it," said Patriot Guard State Captain, Don Pappin.
More than 50 Patriot Guard Riders accompanied the funeral procession to Silo. Just like they did Saturday, when Copeland's body was brought home to Oklahoma after over 3 weeks of waiting.
"It's just a big sense of relief for the family, it's been a very long ordeal and we're glad to finally have some closure," said Berry.
Berry also served as the family's attorney throughout their 22-day battle to bring his body home from Iraq. Copeland had been repairing aircraft for DynCorp for less than a week when he died suddenly on June 9th.
Berry said they appreciate the support the community has shown contacting local, state and the federal government to get Copeland's body back home.
"It's really been an amazing experience for all of us to see the tremendous support we've been getting from the public and to have all this support has helped us get through this," he said.
Sue Weemes grew up with Copeland and said she's happy he's finally back home.
"I feel great that he's on American soil and he's with family and friends, a little closure," she said.
Michael David Copeland was buried at Silo Restland Cemetery.
Berry said the cause of death is still unknown. They are expecting to get the autopsy and toxicology results in the next few weeks.
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