Editor's note: The following was submitted by a reader:
As you are likely aware, Richomond Hill lost one of it's finest last Friday. We are all devastated by this loss, especially those of us who grew up w/ Matt. It is my hope that our community can give him the hero's welcome he so deserves. The Patriot Guard will be escorting Matthew Freeman's body to the funeral home tomorrow on August 12, 2009.His body is supposed to arrive at the airport at 3:00 p.m. They will take Hwy. 17 to the funeral home.
If you can, please line the 1/4 mile route east from Hwy. 17 down 144 to the funeral home or await them at the funeral home.
Please see the discussion post for further details or the Patriot Guards' website at
http://www.patriotguard.org/Forums/tabid/61/postid/1214540/view/topic/Default.aspx
Thank you. ~Carrie Blackburn
Marine Captain Mathew Freeman’s casket is scheduled to arrive at the Savannah Airport Wednesday at 3 p.m. and a police escort will lead the casket from the airport along Hwy. 17 to the Richmond Hill Funeral Home.
Richmond Hill City Manager Mike Melton said much of Hwy. 17 will be lined with flags and encourages residents to line up along the highway as Capt. Freeman passes between 3:30-4 p.m.
Visitation is scheduled for Friday at the Richmond Hill United Methodist Church from 5-8 p.m., and the service will take place at the church Saturday at 11 a.m.
Capt. Freeman was reportedly killed Aug. 7.
Capt. Freeman was assigned to Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan. He had volunteered for ground duty to help train the Afghan military and was killed while supporting combat operations in the Kapisa Province.
Freeman was a 1998 graduate of Richmond Hill High School.
Read more in Wednesday's paper.