U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Jeremiah Collins' body returns home to Milwaukee

By: CBS58 Staff

Posted: Oct 16, 2013 8:20 AM CDT | Updated: Nov 5, 2014 12:26 PM CDT

MILWAUKEE -- A farewell to a fallen soldier. A plane landed carrying U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Jeremiah Collins' body Wednesday.

Friends, family and the community welcomed him home at the 128th Air Refueling Wing.

Collins died 11 days ago while serving in Afghanistan.

\"They are to be honored and respected,\" James Unruh of the Patriot Guard Riders said. \"When these kids are there defending us to live the lives we live, we owe them everything.\"

The former Hamilton High School student was an intelligence specialist. His death was classified as \"non-hostile\" by the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Honor Guard procession led the family from the 128th to the Krause Funeral Home on the Northwest side of Milwaukee.

\"It's the Honor Guard that helps the family,\" Milwaukee Fire Department Lt. Brent Jones said. \"Help the grieving process. Help them get the funeral set up and get that final memory of their loved one.\"