Hometown hero: Body of Airman Quinn Johnson-Harris returned to Wisconsin ahead of funeral

MILWAUKEE -- An airman from Wisconsin killed in a plane crash while deployed in Afghanistan is now home. The body of Quinn Johnson-Harris was delivered to his family Thursday morning, October 22nd.

Quinn Johnson-Harris

Johnson-Harris' family knew they'd welcome him home one day, but they prayed it wouldn't be like this.

On a tarmac at the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Johnson-Harris' friends and family members waved the American flag while fighting back tears.

Johnson-Harris' body was returned to Wisconsin ahead of his funeral, which is set for this weekend.

"To finally get him back to Milwaukee, you know, it's going to be hard -- but we're ready to have him back home," said Fatia Johnson, Quinn's sister.

Quinn Johnson-Harris homecoming

Johnson-Harris was just one month into his first deployment when he was killed after the C-130 he was in crashed shortly after takeoff in Afghanistan.

"He loved what he did, so when I look back and I think of -- he was so happy and he enjoyed his job and just how happy he was in the Air Force -- there's nothing like that," said Fatia Johnson.

On Thursday, the silence at the 128th Air Refueling Wing was broken up by Johnson-Harris' mother's cries. It was a welcome home no mother should have to experience.

Quinn Johnson-Harris homecoming

"Anytime one of our hometown heroes is deployed, especially when we have to lay them to rest as we did today, it's always a reminder that we are at war and it's a sacrifice for our nation," said Sherri Hrovatin, 128th Air Refueling Wing executive officer.

Funeral arrangements for Quinn Johnson-Harris are set for Saturday:

A visitation will be held for Johnson-Harris on Saturday, October 24th from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Christian Faith Fellowship (8633 W. Good Hope Rd.) in Milwaukee. The funeral will be held immediately following the visitation.



Johnson-Harris will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.