BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - The body of Captain John "Jay" Brainard is now back in his hometown of Newport. Captain Brainard died last month when the Apache helicopter he was piloting crashed in Afghanistan.
His body arrived at Bangor International Airport just before 10 o'clock, Thursday morning. The hearse carrying it then began a slow procession through the streets of Bangor. Going down Hammond street and then eventually getting onto I-95 for the journey to Newport.
People gathered all along the procession route, to pay respects to Brainard and his family. One person we spoke with told us it was their way to say thanks for the sacrifices that Captain Brainard -- and all members of the military make for our country.
Captain Brainard's wake is scheduled for 4 to 7 pm on Friday at the Crosby & Neal Funeral Home in Newport. A funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday at St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church in Dexter, followed by burial in Plymouth.