A Hero's Homecoming: Alfred Wells comes home to Syracuse

For one Syracuse family, it was a homecoming seven decades in the making. Fallen navy sailor Alfred Wells is back home.

Wells died on December 7th 1941 when his ship was attacked at Pearl Harbor. He died along with hundreds of other sailors, and after years of wondering for the family, they got word in April that the Department of Defense was finally able to identify him.

"I put it in the back of my mind. I would help out as much as I can, but I never expected this day," said Wells' nephew Wayne Konseck.

Now, Wells is headed to his final resting place.

His nephew says, for the family, it's a day to celebrate.

"We're not in mourning. We're happy that this has happened," Konseck said.

Wells' remains landed at the Syracuse airport to a display of patriotism and respect from the Patriot Guard Riders.

"This one is particularly special. This man gave his life on December 7th at Pearl Harbor and his family is now going to have closure after 75 years," said Ride Captain Bruce Dauer.

The family was escorted through the city on their way to the funeral home, giving Wells one last tour of his hometown.

It was a fitting sendoff, but Konseck says there's only one thing that could have made the moment more special...

"I'm only sorry that my mother and two sisters and grandmother and grandfather aren't here to see this because they would be very happy to know that their son has come back," he said.

Although seventy five years have gone by, Wayne says his uncle's memory is as strong as ever.

"They may be lost, but never forgotten. If they can identify them, they'll identify them," Konseck said.

It was a long time coming, but worth the wait for this family to finally give their hero a proper goodbye.

Wells will be laid to rest Saturday at the Onondaga County Veterans' Memorial Cemetery after a family service with full military honors.