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SALT LAKE CITY — Sean Haggarty knew there was always a chance his son, by virtue of enlisting as a U.S. Marine, could die at a young age.
But after his 20-year-old boy died unexpectedly in a motorcycle crash at Camp Pendleton in San Diego this week, Haggarty says he is no more equipped than any grieving parent to describe the overpowering heartbreak of losing a child.
"There are no words to explain the loss we've got," Haggarty said. "There are no words to explain the pain."
Sean Thomas Haggarty, who has the same first and last name as his father, was killed on base Monday in the crash, his father said. The elder Haggarty was notified by Marines at his home around midnight that night. The days since have been filled with family members clinging to memories and each other for consolation.
"We sit there, and we cry, we laugh, and remember (Sean)," his father said.
On Saturday afternoon, Lance Cpl. Haggarty, who grew up in Eden, returned home from military service for the final time at the Salt Lake airport. His casket was escorted to Lindquist Mortuary in Ogden accompanied by the Marines, Utah Highway Patrol and Bikers Against Child Abuse, where his father volunteers.
An emotional Haggarty said he is grateful for the Marines' response to his son's death.
"The military, they take care of their own," he said.
Sean Haggarty, father to Lance Cpl. Sean Thomas Haggarty and his daughter Kasandra Davison become emotional prior to the casket being carried out by a group of Marines from Fox Company 2nd Battalion 23rd Marines Saturday, July 11, 2015, out of the Delta Airlines Air Cargo hanger. (Scott G. Winterton/Deseret News)
The Haggartys are a quintessential military family. The younger Haggarty insisted he wanted to be a Marine since he was a child, his father says, despite being raised by two members of the U.S. Air Force.
"He would always come home with ribbons and gifts" from impressed Marine recruiters at school, the elder Haggarty said. "We tried to guide him into the Air Force Way and that wasn't him."
Lance Cpl. Haggarty was enlisted for almost two years when he died. In April, he returned home from a deployment to Japan.
"He loved being a Marine. He loved riding his motorcycle. He love his family, and he loved people," the elder Haggarty said. "He died doing what he loved, being who he was."
Lance Cpl. Haggarty will be laid to rest with military honors on Thursday. His funeral will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at Lindquist Mortuary in Ogden. Well-wishers can visit the Haggarty family for the viewing from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in the same location.
