The Worthington Times

The body of Washington, Indiana native Mark Kelsey, one of the nine firefighters killed in Charleston, South Carolina this past week, arrived at the Indianapolis airport late this afternoon.  After a short memorial service at the airport, a procession of fire and state police motorcycles and vehicles  accompanied him on the journey home.

The route brought him through Worthington.  Many townspeople came out to honor him by standing quietly along the highway as the procession passed by.  Lights were on, but there were no sirens.

The Worthington-Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department trucks were pulled out of the station up to the highway, silently flashing their lights as Kelsey passed by.  WJVFD firefighters, past and present, and many family members, stood in front of the Worthington station in honor of a brother.

American Legion members had arrived in downtown Worthington early to fly the flags of all 50 states on the Triangle plaza - other flags flew at half-mast.  Since the Legion now owns, and has fully restored, Worthington's first fire truck, it was stationed along the highway in front of the Legion Hall.

Firefighters from Highland Township Volunteer Fire Department near Calvertville and Wright Township Volunteer Fire Department, Jasonville, were also in town for this event.  Other Greene County fire departments were stationed at other locations along SR 67 and 57.  At the "Lighthouse" junction, ladder trucks from the Bloomfield and Linton fire departments were parked on their respective sides of the highway with their ladders extended, reaching out over the intersection, with an American flag hanging between them.   

Pictures below are of the American Legion fire truck and members who raised the flags, Wright Township firefighters waiting for the procession, the procession led by Indiana State Police motorcycles, another Wright Township truck joining in to motorcade, all taken downtown by Anna, followed by more pictures taken on the south side by Virginia.