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CHICAGO -
A motorcade with the body of slain Army Pfc. Michael Pearson, one of 13 soldiers killed in the Fort Hood rampage, took him home to southwest suburban Bolingbrook today.
As the procession moved past Bolingbrook High School, from which Pearson graduated in 2006, hundreds of students and ROTC members in navy blue service dress looked on somberly.
For many ROTC members considering a life in the military when they leave school, the funeral procession served as a poignant reminder about sacrifice and the dangers of service.
"I was amazed and honored to be a part of this," said Caprisha Pritchett, a Bolingbrook senior who plans to join the Air Force after graduation. "If I ever go down while in service, I'd like to have something like this where my family and community can pay their respects."
Hand-written signs thanking Pearson for his service and sacrifice and draped American flags greeted the procession.
"These are just little gestures that hopefully will provide some comfort to (Pearson's) family," said Phillip Schoffstall, superintendent of Valley View 365 U school district. "Nothing that we have done or would be able to do could lesson the tragedy of the loss of this young man."
Earlier in the day, Pearson's body arrived at Midway Airport in a military Falcon 20 aircraft, with a crowd of veterans, firefighters and Chicago police officers on hand.
A lengthy motorcade left the airport about 10:40 a.m., with dozens of soldiers saluting Pearson's hearse. (Click here to watch the motorcade live.)
The motorcade included members of the Patriot Guard--a motorcycle escort for fallen soldiers--and Pearson's family. As it moved south onto the Stevenson Expressway, just about every overpass had law enforcement and firefighters saluting the fallen soldier.
"It's just an honor to be here and pay my respects," said Peter Torres of Palos Hills, one of those who came to the airport and whose 21-year-old nephew just graduated from Army boot camp in Kentucky. "It's awesome that so many people came out to honor (Pearson)," he said.
The motorcade was also to make its way past the Pearson family home in Bolingbrook. Its final destination today is a Joliet funeral home.
A wake will be held Friday and Saturday morning at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. in Joliet. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will take place at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill., near Joliet.
As the procession moved past Bolingbrook High School, from which Pearson graduated in 2006, hundreds of students and ROTC members in navy blue service dress looked on somberly.
For many ROTC members considering a life in the military when they leave school, the funeral procession served as a poignant reminder about sacrifice and the dangers of service.
"I was amazed and honored to be a part of this," said Caprisha Pritchett, a Bolingbrook senior who plans to join the Air Force after graduation. "If I ever go down while in service, I'd like to have something like this where my family and community can pay their respects."
Hand-written signs thanking Pearson for his service and sacrifice and draped American flags greeted the procession.
"These are just little gestures that hopefully will provide some comfort to (Pearson's) family," said Phillip Schoffstall, superintendent of Valley View 365 U school district. "Nothing that we have done or would be able to do could lesson the tragedy of the loss of this young man."
Earlier in the day, Pearson's body arrived at Midway Airport in a military Falcon 20 aircraft, with a crowd of veterans, firefighters and Chicago police officers on hand.
A lengthy motorcade left the airport about 10:40 a.m., with dozens of soldiers saluting Pearson's hearse. (Click here to watch the motorcade live.)
The motorcade included members of the Patriot Guard--a motorcycle escort for fallen soldiers--and Pearson's family. As it moved south onto the Stevenson Expressway, just about every overpass had law enforcement and firefighters saluting the fallen soldier.
"It's just an honor to be here and pay my respects," said Peter Torres of Palos Hills, one of those who came to the airport and whose 21-year-old nephew just graduated from Army boot camp in Kentucky. "It's awesome that so many people came out to honor (Pearson)," he said.
The motorcade was also to make its way past the Pearson family home in Bolingbrook. Its final destination today is a Joliet funeral home.
A wake will be held Friday and Saturday morning at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. in Joliet. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will take place at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill., near Joliet.
