The body of Staff Sergeant Alexander Povilaitis arrived at Dekalb-Peachtree airport with full military honors.ATLANTA -
A Georgia soldier killed in action returned home on Thursday. The body of Staff Sergeant Alexander Povilaitis arrived at Dekalb-Peachtree airport with full military honors.
The 47-year-old Dawsonville native was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) 10 months after arriving in Afghanistan.
His sons said goodbye to their fallen father whose casket was draped in full military honors. Friends also came to remember the soldier. An honor guard then walked his casket to an awaiting hearse.
John Maiolo was a good friend to Povilaitis. He says he and the soldier grew up together and that all were going to miss him. Maiolo says his friend "knew when to have fun and when to put on the warrior hat."
Povilaitis joined the Army 28 years ago before enlisting again in his 40s.
"He felt like that was what he supposed to do -- give back to country. And he did it so we can do what we do," said Povilaitis' friend, Tim Ballew.
His body was taken to H.M. Patterson & Son-Oglethorpe Hill Chapel in Atlanta. Visitation is set for 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Funeral services will begin at noon. He is to be buried at the Georgia National Cemetery.
