ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The Starke and St. Augustine communities honored a hometown hero a final time before he’s laid to rest Monday.
A procession for Sgt. Seth Plant is expected to leave Jacksonville International Airport Monday afternoon and drive through Starke, where Sgt. Plant grew up. The procession will end at the St. Johns Family Funeral Home.
The decorated war hero recently lived in St. Augustine.
The 30-year-old was killed in a bear attack in Alaska at a training area, according to officials with the U.S. Army.
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Several businesses donated a portion of funds from proceeds Monday to the Plant family, including Dink’s Place in downtown Starke.
The owner, Mark Williams, grew up with the family.
“Seth was an outstanding individual. Just a great young man. He was a protector,” Williams said.
He told Action News Jax’s Robert Grant that Sgt. Plant was protecting his fellow soldiers when he was killed by the bear.
“He stepped up and paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting his guys.”
Officials said a female brown bear attacked two individuals in a remote section of the military base near Anchorage. The other soldier is expected to be okay.
Williams said his prayers are with the family.
“[Seth] was a great person. He was honorable. He was a hero.”
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Tammy Harrison, the owner of Nutrition Escape, also donated a portion of proceeds Monday to the Plant family.
“We are a small community and everyone knows the family. So what we want to do is give a little portion back to the family as best we could — because our hearts go out to them at this time,” she said.
Action News Jax will have live coverage as the procession passes through Starke around 4 p.m.