Community turns out to honor fallen soldier

The moment Julieann Day-Najar has waited for, Colonel Steve Collins hands her the folded flag honoring her son, Sargent Dennis Keoki Cabanting.

Anna LaBay/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — Sargent Dennis Cabanting once told his mom that the members of the 1074th transportation unit were just like family.

After so many of them showed up to honor him on Saturday, she agreed.

“This was an awesome day,” Day-Najar said. She shared that seeing all the community members waving flags along the streets as she was escorted through the city of McCook by a parade of vehicles, including over 20 motorcycles, police cars, and a fire truck and ambulance, brought her to tears.

Kolby Rogers son of Mindy and Brock Rogers came in uniform to honor Sgt. Dennis Cabanting.

Anna LaBay/McCook Gazette