ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The procession for a fallen St. Charles County Marine closed portions of Interstate 70 in St. Louis County on Friday.
Marine Corps Sgt. Colin Arslanbas died after an April parachute accident near Camp Lejeune, less than a month after he was promoted to sergeant.
On Friday, Governor Mike Parson ordered all flags in the state to be flown at half-staff on Saturday in honor of Sgt. Arslanbas.
The community's outpouring of support was overwhelming. Many gathered on the overpasses along I-70; hundreds of people were seen on just one.
Arslanbas's remains were escorted from St. Louis Lambert Airport to Baue Cave Springs in St. Charles. The procession closed portions of I-70 Westbound for about an hour.
A Fort Zumwalt West High School class of 2019 graduate, Arslanbas enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2020.
The honor guard led the procession -- filled with hundreds of vehicles.
People lined up all along the route. They waved flags, honked, saluted and paused to thank the Marine for his service.
"It's emotional seeing so many people come together for someone we don't know. Just respect his service," said Aimee Lampley.
Lampley's son is a Marine stationed in Camp Lejeune, the same place where Arslanbas died in a training accident.
"You need to know what the sacrifice is for. You need to know it's not a job for them. This is their life, it's life and death. There is a risk, so we all appreciate his service. I took my son out of school today to make sure he was here to be a part," Lampley said.
A Vietnam War Veteran Harold Anderson said he knows what it's like losing a loved one serving our country.
"We lost our son in 2010, he was in the Marine Corps. I remember the funeral procession when they brought him home, stopping traffic on I-70. It was just an amazing experience when we drove by the overpasses and saw all the people supporting us. So we want to be out here in return supporting this family as well," Anderson said.
As a mother of a Marine, Lampley understands the risk of serving our country.
"It keeps me up at night. I couldn't imagine. I just hope I'm never on the other side of this; that's all I can pray for every day," said Lampley.
Anderson knows firsthand about the sacrifice. He said it was tough hearing about Arslanbas's accident.
"It was really sad. Accidents happen. It's unfortunate that it happened the way that it did, but that's the risk that you take when you're in the military," he said.
A public Facebook event invited the community to show Arslanbas and his family support.
"Please help us welcome home another Hero tragically taken too soon. This young man deserves all the love and support our community can give. Route goes from STL Lambert Airport down I-70 to the Cave Springs Exit in St Charles. Line every bridge and the highways STL Semper Fi Warrior," the event description said.
The family is planning a private funeral service and burial, the release said.
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