ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A 12-mile stretch of Interstate 70 was closed as the solemn procession for Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz made its way from the airport to a funeral home in St. Charles on Wednesday afternoon.
Thousands lined the highway to pay respect to the 20-year-old native of St. Charles County. Many people brought American flags, and massive flags flew from the aerial ladders of fire trucks. The procession, which included about 1,000 motorcyclists from the Patriot Guard.
Among those paying his respects was 60-year-old Luther Loughridge, a retired lieutenant with the U.S. Coast Guard, who stood in uniform at salute for more than 20 minutes.
“It’s the last of the Afghanistan war, and he’s the last victim,” Loughridge said. “He gave his entire life and as a veteran, we respond to that.”
A police escort for Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz took place around 1 p.m. as his body was taken from St. Louis Lambert International Airport to Baue Funeral Home at 3950 West Clay Street in St. Charles. The procession will take Interstate 70 westbound from the airport and exit at Cave Springs Road, according to police.
Schmitz was among the 13 Marines killed in Kabul after an airport suicide bombing on Aug. 26. He was 20-years-old and a graduate of Fort Zumwalt South High School in St. Charles County.
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*Drone video provided by Jamie Streck Buehrle
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