Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Christopher Slutman, killed in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan was honored today by mourners from across the country at his funeral in New York City, where he also was a decorated firefighter.
Slutman's flag-draped casket was taken from a Bronx funeral home atop a fire engine caisson.
Thousands of firefighters, police and other responders lined both sides of Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue for about a mile as the caisson passed slowly to a drumbeat.
It arrived at the majestic St. Thomas Church amid the bagpipe strains of “Amazing Grace” and salutes. The 43-year-old father of three died April 8 near Bagram Airfield U.S military base. Two other members of Slutman’s Massachusetts-based Marine Reserve unit also were killed.
A 15-year FDNY veteran, Slutman was with Ladder 27 in the Bronx. He was awarded a medal for bravery after rescuing a woman from a burning apartment. Slutman had a residence in Yonkers but his family lived in Delaware.