TEMPLE, Texas — The Central Texas community honored two Fort Hood soldiers who died in Afghanistan with a special surprise for their widows Friday.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 David C. Knadle, 33, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kirk T. Fuchigami Jr., 25, died Wednesday in an Apache helicopter crash, according to the Department of Defense.
Both soldiers had been stationed at Fort Hood. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.
Knadle left for a 9-month deployment to Afghanistan in October and leaves behind his wife and two children in Temple.
The men's wives traveled to Delaware, where the soldiers bodies were returned from Afghanistan, to meet with President Donald Trump who paid his respects.
Central Texans lined a Temple street in flags and waited for the widows to be escorted back to the neighborhood Friday after the trip.
"We want them to know that we care and we love them. We are grateful for their loved ones sacrifice to our country." Angela Chrisman, a friend of Knadle, said.
Funeral arrangements for the soldiers are pending.