Thousands lined the route from the airport to the funeral home to pay their respects to the soldier.
Other than some birds chirping and one airplane taking off, the tarmac was silent as an Army Honor Guard carried Olivas flag-draped casket from the cargo lift to the awaiting hearse. His family, along with members of the Patriot Guard and Army personnel, watched as they flanked the tarmac between the jet and the hearse.
As the procession left the airport, it went through a pair of fire ladders from Fairfield and Hamilton that hung a flag over the road. The procession travelled through Hamilton and throughout the route there were pockets of people who stood at attention, saluted or put their hands over their hearts.
As the procession passed the parking lot of the Presbyterian Church along High Street, a maintenance worker watering the landscaping put his right hand over his heart as he continued with his work.
The lengthy procession ended at Colligan Funeral Home which had a number of flags out. Their main flag, as well as the flag at the American Legion Post 138 next door, were flown at half-staff.
Fairfield resident Dean Creech didn’t know Olivas, but said “I’m giving my support to his family because I have two nephews in the Air Force.”
“They do what they have to do for our freedom,” Creech said.
Darlene Kezar of West Chester also didn’t know Olivas or his family and said she came to the airport “out of respect.”
“I don’t know if there are any words for it,” she said. “But it’s happening so much to families in Ohio. I knew two others who have died there.”
Olivas is the 17th area servicemember killed in the line of duty since 2001.
Jim Missman traveled from Clermont County to witness Olivas coming home.
A Gold Star Father, Missman said his son, Army Spc. Greg Missman, came home almost three years ago to the date after being killed by a rocket-propelled grenade after his convoy was ambushed in Afghanistan. Greg Missman was the first soldier from Clermont County that was killed in action in Afghanistan, his father said.
“I go to all of these just to make myself known to the family,” Jim Missman said. “We’ve walked the road they are walking now and no one really knows what they’re feeling because everyone grieves differently.”
“But we care and we thank them for the sacrifice they have given,” he said. “We assure them that they’ll get through all of this.”
Missman said since 9/11, there have been 76 servicemembers from the greater Cincinnati area that have been killed in action.
The visitation for Cpl. Olivas will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Fairfield High School Arena, 8800 Holden Blvd. He was a 2010 graduate of Fairfield High School.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 400 Nilles Road in Fairfield. Burial with full military honors will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hamilton.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4504 or Ed.Richter@coxinc.com.
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