Hundreds of men and women at Randolph Air Force Base line the streets of Harmon Drive Oct. 26 as a show of respect for U.S. Army Spec. Vincent A. Madero, a soldier killed while supporting Operation Iraqui Freedom. Specialist Madero died Oct. 17 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Photo by Richard McFadden

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Hundreds of airmen, Air Force civilians and their family members lined both sides of Harmon Drive Oct. 26 to pay their respects to a Soldier killed in Iraq.

U.S. Army Spec. Vincent A. Madero, 22, of Port Hueneme, Calif., died Oct .17 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.

Word spread quickly across Randolph that a warrior was about to make his final flight home. Airmen made their way past the Taj Mahal and began lining up along the route that would take the soldier's body off base.

When Madero's body arrived just before noon, members of his family were present to receive him. As the funeral procession slowly drove from the flightline and entered a hushed Washington Circle, uniformed members saluted and civilians held hands over their hearts -- showing respect for a fallen comrade.

The specialist was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.