The return of a hero

Published 10:41 pm Thursday, May 25, 2017

: Glaydon Iverson’s remains are escorted off the plane that brought him from Hawaii to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Thursday. - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Emmons veteran killed in Pearl Harbor comes home

It was a long time coming, but Glaydon Iverson has finally come home.

The Emmons native who died aboard the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor was brought back to Minnesota on Thursday — bringing closure to his family that was more than 75 years overdue.

Iverson’s remains were officially identified in March, and were escorted by the United States Navy from Hawaii to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Thursday. His visitation will be today in Lake Mills. His funeral and burial will be Saturday in Emmons — where he will come to his final resting place next to his parents.

: American Legion Riders and Patriot Guard Riders line a pathway to a hearse that will eventually carry the remains of Glaydon Iverson on Thursday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

: Glaydon Iverson’s remains are escorted off the plane that brought him from Hawaii to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Thursday. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

: United States Navy officers stand in attendance for the arrival of Glaydon Iverson on Thursday on the tarmac of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

: Taps is played by a member of the Albert Lea American Legion as the procession escorting Glaydon Iverson passes through downtown Albert Lea on its way to Lake Mills on Thursday. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

: A procession escorting the remains of Glaydon Iverson passes through downtown Albert Lea on its way to Lake Mills on Thursday. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

: A moment of silence is observed as Glaydon Iverson’s remains arrive Thursday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Iverson had a United States Navy escort accompany his flight from Hawaii, and received full military planeside honors upon his arrival in Minnesota. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

: Family members of Glaydon Iverson take a moment with his casket after his remains arrived Thursday in Minnesota. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

: Glaydon Iverson’s family members dressed patriotically Thursday to commemorate his journey back home to Minnesota. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

: American Legion Riders and Patriot Guard Riders line a pathway to a hearse that will eventually carry the remains of Glaydon Iverson on Thursday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

: American Legion Riders and Patriot Guard Riders accompanied the procession for Glaydon Iverson from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to Mittlestadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills on Thursday. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

: Glaydon Iverson’s family watches as his remains are escorted off of a plane Thursday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

: The Albert Lea American Legion honor guard fires off a 21-gun salute while members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars presents the colors as Glaydon Iverson’s procession passes through downtown Albert Lea on Thursday. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

: One of Glaydon Iverson’s nephews, Gary Iverson, greets a member of the Patriot Guard Riders Thursday. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

: Members of the Albert Lea American Legion and VFW, as well as other members of the community, pay their respects as the procession accompanying Glaydon Iverson’s remains drives through downtown Albert Lea. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune