A fallen marine is brought back home

MOBILE, Ala. - Lance Corporal Bruce Ferrell Junior of Perdido was killed in Afghanistan when a roadside bomb hit his patrol. He was just 21-years-old.

His body arrived by plane Saturday at Mobile Regional Airport.

It was a very emotional day for the family of the fallen soldier.

After loading Ferrell's casket, a long procession made it's way through Mobile County to Bay Minette. The outpouring of support continued at the Bay Minette Civic Center as a steady procession of family and friends came to pay their respects to 21 year old Bruce Ferrell Junior.

"From the ride from Mobile to Bay Minette all the outpouring of people from family and friends. It's just overwhelming. I'm real proud," his father said.

Bruce Ferrell Senior said when he talked to his son earlier this month he didn't know it would be his last time hearing his boys voice.

"We talked to him for about 15 minutes. He told us everything was fine. Everybody was fine. Nobody was hurt in his platoon. Everything was good," Ferrell said.

Ferrell joined the marines in 2007. It was a decision he kept from the family, but the father said he supported his son's choice.

Ferrell lost his oldest daughter in 2006. News of his son's death was even harder.

Ferrell was killed by a road side bomb in Afghanistan on August 10th.

His flag draped coffin rests in the Civic Center Auditorium. Two marines stood watch as visitors filed pass Saturday.

April Austin said she lost a life long friend who was always there for her.

"He was the best guy I ever met in my whole life. He would not leave anybody standing there," Austin said.

Ferrell has his family and the support of the entire community to help him through the grieving process.

"He was a United States Marine.That's what he was. He told me, he said Dad I'm a United States marine. I said yes sir you are," the father said.

The funeral service is set for two o'clock Monday at the Bay Minette Civic Center.

The burial will follow at Bryars-McGill Cemetery in Perdido.