Marine's body back in Indiana

MARION, Ind. (WANE) - The body of a local marine killed in Afghanistan last week, arrived in Marion Thursday afternoon.

First Lieutenant Brandon Barrett died May 5th while supporting combat operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The military is not releasing details on how he was killed.

He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejuene, N.C. His body landed on a Marion airport runway lined with American flags around 5 pm.

Barrett's family flew in from New Mexico Thursday to receive his body. "It was extremely devastating. It was not expected at all," said Barrett's uncle Glenn Haynes. He describes his nephew as an extraordinary young man. "He did very well in school... straight 'A' student... excelled in sports."

Barrett graduated from Marion High School in 2001. Friends tell NewsChannel 15 he was a popular student who loved sports. Barret made the decision to join the Marine Corps during his senior year. His family says, the marine knew the risks and had already made plans to be buried in Marion.

"He really loved Marion. He really enjoyed being out here," said Haynes. "And he made it his wish to come home if something ever should happen."

A procession carrying Barrett's body to the funeral home snaked through town as hundreds stood alongside the road. Folks held up flags, signs that read 'Thank you for serving our country. We love you." and "You are our hero." Haynes says the tribute brought some comfort to the family and that Barrett's mother knew she had made the right decision to bury her son in Marion.  "Just to see the support was just overwhelming for the family," said Haynes.

Visitation is Friday evening from 4 pm to 8 pm. in the Marion High School Gym. The funeral is also there at 10 am Saturday morning. Burial will be held in the Gardens of Memory cemetery in Marion.

NewsChannel 15's Aishah Hasnie was the only local reporter in Marion Thursday and will have complete coverage on Nightcast at 11.