Hundreds gather for Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss memorial service

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The public was invited to honor the memory of Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, a Knoxville native who lost his life in the Kabul airport bombing last month.

According to a release, Staff Sgt. Knauss’ family requested a private arrival, but allowed a public event at Gibbs High School at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11.

Prior to the service, Mynatt Funeral Home transported Staff Sgt. Knauss from Halls Chapel to Gibbs High School. The procession was open to the public for viewing, and hundreds lined the route to say “thank you.” The procession traveled down Emory Road, across Maynardville Pike and then turned onto Tazewell Pike to arrive at the school at 4:30 p.m., the announcement said.

Following the service, the public gathered to pay respects to Staff Sgt. Knauss in the Gibbs High School gym, where he lied in repose. Afterwards, a ceremony was held outside on the Gibbs football field where people gathered to pay respects and show gratitude.

“I feel like those are two simple words, but mean the greatest,” Amanda Ellis, a supporter who drove an hour to visit the service. “Once you’ve joined pretty much any branch of the military, you become family to strangers you’ve never met before. So, I guess we’re just to be a part of the family.”

Below is a map of the procession route.

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