Rep. Mickey Leland, one of nine Americans killed en route to an Ethiopian refugee camp, was honored in a Washington ceremony for his efforts to feed the hungry; then his body was flown to Houston for burial.
The Texas congressman was to be buried Thursday at Golden Gate Cemetery, said Houston City Councilman Rodney Ellis, a friend of the Leland family. Only immediate family members and a few friends were invited.An Air Force C-135 jet carried Leland's flag-draped coffin to Houston's Ellington Field, where about 50 people gathered for its arrival Wednesday.
They watched in silence as Leland's coffin was taken off the plane by an all-military team of pallbearers. Two women held an abstract banner in red, green, black and gold they had made in his honor.
Leland's mother, Alice Rains of Houston, and his brother Gaston were on the flight from Washington. Mrs. Rains clutched a folded Ethiopian flag as she watched her son's coffin carried to a hearse.
"I kind of feel like he's at home," said Councilman Ben Reyes, who was at the airport. "It makes you feel a little better to have him home."
All nine Americans killed Aug. 7 on the ill-fated mercy flight to an Ethiopian refugee camp were honored earlier at a ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington.
Leland's coffin was the first removed from an Air Force C-141 jet transport that had brought the bodies from Addis Ababa to Andrews. Three congressional aides, four foreign service officials and a New York philanthropist were the other Americans killed in the crash.
Seven Ethiopians also died when Leland's chartered Twin Otter slammed into a mountainside not far from its destination.
"We gather to honor nine fallen heroes of peace," said House Speaker Thomas S. Foley, D-Wash. "They reached Addis Ababa by different roads . . . but each was on a mission of peace, humanity and compassion. In asking God's blessing on each of them, let us dedicate ourselves to their values."
As the Air Force Band softly played dirges, three all-military teams of pallbearers slowly moved the coffins from the transport plane to nine hearses.
"Let us all pledge to keep alive the spirit of Congressman Leland and those who shared his mission, said Undersecretary of State Robert Kimmitt. Leland's mother stood with hands clasped at her waist through most of the 45-minute ceremony. She dabbed tears from her eyes when the door of the hearse bearing her son was closed.
About 400 people, including family members of the crash victims, 25 House members and scores of congressional aides, attended the Andrews ceremony.