Hundreds, if not, thousands honor fallen Berne soldier as his body comes home

BERNE, Ind. (WANE) - People lined U.S. 27 from Fort Wayne to Berne Sunday to honor a fallen hero.

Army National Guard Specialist Nick Taylor’s body returned to his hometown.  He landed and Fort Wayne around 2:00 p.m. Sunday.  From there, he received a police escort to Berne.

Watch the video in this story to see the procession.

Hundreds of motorcycles were in that procession.  Messiahs Misfits was just one group in the procession.  Richard Guntle rode with the group.  He says it means Taylor is finally home.

“For us, it’s just putting a brother back to God,” said Guntle. “We just want people to make sure people around him know, and he knows he’s going home to our Father."

People also lined the streets of Berne to watch the procession.

"He has left such a wonderful mark on this community that I don't think we will ever forget," said Rarletta Evans.

"There's no way we can make up the honor of Nick in what he has done for us," said Lyle Evans.

Taylor attended the same church as the Evans.

Taylor was killed in Afghanistan last week when his truck was attacked.

Taylor's viewing will be Monday, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. The funeral is Tuesday at 11 a.m. Both are at South Adams High School.