By Vanesa Brashier, editor@bluebonnetnews.com
U.S. Navy AT2 Kyle A. David, 27, of Cleveland, was welcomed home at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on May 22 after his death on May 9 from a non-combat-related incident.
David, who served seven years in the U.S. Navy after enlisting in April 2012, was working at VAW-120 as an aviation technician and shift supervisor in Norfolk, Va., at the time of his death.
David’s return was met at the airport by Patriot Guard Riders from the Southeast Houston Chapter, Cleveland police officers, Liberty County sheriff’s deputies, Neal Funeral Home personnel and two U.S. sailors, including E6 Daniel McCullar, who was David’s supervisor in Norfolk.
McCullar accompanied the casket carrying his friend as it was flown from Norfolk to Houston on Wednesday. As the airplane approached the arrival gate, two firefighting cannons sprayed an arch of water across the plane as a tribute to David’s service to the country.
Two firefighting water cannons were used to create an arch over the plane carrying the body of U.S. sailor Kyle David on Wednesday, May 22.
People inside the airport and the airplane watched curiously from windows as the solemn funeral detail unloaded David’s flag-draped coffin from the airplane and carried it to a nearby hearse.
Later, McCullar reflected on the loss of his friend, who he described as having two sides to his personality.
“He was a great guy. When he was off-duty, he was fun and liked to joke around. When he walked in to go on-duty, his demeanor changed. He took his job very seriously and was one of the best technicians,” McCullar said.
He said that David had been eyeing the possibility of moving up in the ranks and the two had joked about it.
“I told him I didn’t care if he made officer, I was never going to salute him,” he said, pausing for a moment to reflect. “And today I’ve already saluted him twice.”
FUNERAL INFORMATION
The funeral for AT2 Kyle David will be held on Friday, May 24, at 2 p.m., at Neal Funeral Home in Cleveland.
Patriot Guard Riders carry the casket of U.S. sailor Kyle David from the plane that carried him home to Texas from Norfolk, Va. 
The flag-draped coffin of U.S. sailor Kyle David is loaded into the back of a hearse for the trip from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston to Neal Funeral Home in Cleveland. 
Patriot Guard Riders salute as the body of U.S. sailor Kyle David is loaded into a hearse at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Wednesday, May 22. 
Patriot Guard Riders salute as the body of U.S. sailor Kyle David is loaded into a hearse at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Wednesday, May 22. 
The funeral escort begins the trip back to Cleveland, Texas. 
The funeral escort begins the trip back to Cleveland, Texas. 
The funeral escort begins the trip back to Cleveland, Texas. 
Cleveland Police Officer Sergio Lopez assists with traffic as the funeral procession for U.S. sailor Kyle David makes its way through Cleveland. 
Cadets with the Cleveland High School Air Force Junior ROTC hold U.S. flags and salute as the funeral procession for U.S. sailor Kyle David travels past the high school on Wednesday, May 22. 
Cleveland Police Chief Darrel Broussard assists with traffic as the funeral procession for U.S. sailor Kyle David makes its way through Cleveland. 
The funeral escort for the body of U.S. sailor Kyle David arrives at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Wednesday, May 22. 
The funeral escort for the body of U.S. sailor Kyle David arrives at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Wednesday, May 22. 
The funeral escort for the body of U.S. sailor Kyle David arrives at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Wednesday, May 22. Two firefighting water cannons were used to create an arch over the plane carrying the body of U.S. sailor Kyle David on Wednesday, May 22. 
Neal Funeral Home owner Bryan Neal (far left) and his staff organized the funeral detail for U.S. sailor Kyle David. Patriot Guard Riders accompanied David’s body as he was picked up from George Bush Intercontinental Airport and returned to Cleveland on Wednesday, May 22. 
U.S. sailor Cheo Angel and Cleveland Police Sgt. Investigator John Shaver watch as the body of U.S. sailor Kyle David is unloaded from the flight that brought him from Norfolk, Va., to Houston, Texas, on May 22. David’s funeral will be held Friday at Neal Funeral Home in Cleveland. 
Houston police officers, airport security and members of the USO came out to pay their respects to U.S. sailor Kyle David of Cleveland, who died May 9 in a non-combat-related incident. He was 27. 
Neal Funeral Home’s Bryan Neal and Lynn Oswalt wait for the body of U.S. sailor Kyle A. David to be unloaded from a plane at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Wednesday, May 22. 
Bryan Neal with Neal Funeral Home visits with Daniel McCullar and Cheo Angel at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Wednesday, May 22. Angel is stationed in the Houston area and was part of the honor detail for U.S. sailor Kyle David. McCullar was David’s immediate supervisor in Norfolk, Va., and accompanied his friend on the flight back to Texas. 
Airport and USO personnel honored U.S. sailor Kyle David as his body was unloaded from a plane and onto a hearse to carry him home to Cleveland, Texas, on May 22. 
Daniel McCullar and Cheo Angel salute as the flag-draped casket of U.S. sailor Kyle David is unloaded from a plane at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Wednesday, May 22. Angel is stationed in the Houston area and was part of the honor detail for David. McCullar was David’s immediate supervisor in Norfolk, Va., and accompanied his friend on the flight back to Texas. 
Mike Walker, U.S. Navy-retired, drove the hearse carrying U.S. sailor Kyle David from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Neal Funeral Home in Cleveland, Texas. 
Patriot Guard Riders carry the casket of U.S. sailor Kyle David from the plane that carried him home to Texas from Norfolk, Va. Bryan Neal, owner of Neal Funeral Home, helped with the funeral escort on Wednesday, May 22. 
Cleveland High School Air Force Junior ROTC cadets salute and wave flags as the hearse carrying U.S. sailor Kyle David passes through Cleveland on Wednesday, May 22.