Fallen SEAL’s Dog Stays by Casket

More than 50 Navy SEALs accompanied the family of a fallen brother on Aug. 19 in Rockford, Iowa, standing near the casket of Petty Officer Jon Tumilson to offer words of remembrance or prayer.

Joining those next to the flag-draped casket throughout the entire service was "Hawkeye," the fallen SEALs devoted pet – his "son" in the eyes of the Tumilson family, according to a report on ABC News.

"I couldn't not take take a picture" of the touching scene, said Lisa Pembleton, Tumilson's cousin. "It took several attempts since every time I wasn't crying and could focus on taking it, there was a SEAL at the microphone and I didn't want to take a picture with them for security and respect reasons."

Tumilson was one of 30 Americans who perished when their Chinook helicopter was downed by enemy fire Aug. 6 in Afghanistan.
 
Hawkeye is now being cared for by one of Tumilson's friends.

The identities of the SEALs at the service were not provided.

One of the speakers at the funeral said Tumilson had wanted to be part of the elite outfit "from a young age … [But] I didn't realize the depth of his desire until I stepped into his bedroom at his parent's house for the first time. His room was a shrine … pictures, paintings, books and videos all related to being a Navy SEAL."

One of Tumilson sisters noted that he was "the baby of the family," but that she always looked up to him.

"You always showed so much strength, courage, determination and selfless love," she said.

"Jon was a Navy SEAL and he was proud to die this way -- for his country and for the people he loved so much," the family wrote in a statement released to the media.  "We respect the nature of their jobs and the need to protect these men and women so they can continue to serve our nation; therefore, we will not provide details of Jon's military service."

Photo: Lisa Pembleton