Community pays respects as fallen Kentucky airman returns home to Bardstown

Tech Sgt. Ashley Pruitt was killed March 12 when her KC-135 crashed in Iraq during Operation Epic Fury.

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) — A fallen airman from Bardstown returned home Thursday afternoon.

Hundreds of people lined the sidewalks of Bardstown Square to recognize the life and service of fallen airman Tech Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34, who was killed March 12 in a KC-135 crash in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury.

"It just weighs on your heart," Tonya Albright said, watching as emergency vehicles escorted Pruitt's body.

A procession was held for Pruitt from Samuels Field Airport, to Bardstown Square, and finally to Houghlin-Greenwell Funeral Home.

"They are fighting for us to live the sacrifices that they make every day for us," Albright said.

As Pruitt takes her last ride through the heart of Bardstown, the community and veterans pay their respects and salute.

ASHLEY PRUITT.jpeg — Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, of Bardstown, Kentucky, was killed in a KC-135 crash in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury.

"We wouldn’t have this country if it wasn’t for their sacrifices," Jim Whited said.

"We live in the greatest country on earth, and that’s because of our service members," Dallas Robinson said. "Presence means everything the effort to come out and to respect the family, respect the legacy and respect the uniform."

Pruitt was killed in the line of duty, putting her life on the line, something Army veteran Dallas Robinson knows all too well.

"It’s tragic that it does happen but all of us who put on that uniform know that we are willing to give our life for the freedoms of people a lot of whom we’ve never met," Robinson said.

For Robinson, in this country, service members give their lives and ask for nothing in return.

"They owe us nothing," Robinson said. "It’s because of them we serve it’s our honor to serve we’re not owed anything. It’s our privilege, it’s truly our honor."

Pruitt leaves behind a husband and two children. Visitation for Pruitt will be Friday, April 10 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Houghlin-Greenwell Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 11 at 11 a.m. at New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery with cremation following.