Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Price, 27, of Holland, was killed July 29 in Afghanistan. (Courtesy: USMC)
HOLLAND, Mich. (WZZM/AP) - The body of a Holland Marine returned home Wednesday morning to a large crowd of people lining the streets.
Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Price, 27, was killed fighting in Afghanistan on July 29. Sgt. Price was on his sixth deployment in Afghanistan.
Hundreds of onlookers stood silently with hands behind their backs, while others quietly cried as family and friends walked onto the runway to receive Price's body.
70 motorcyclists helped escort the body to Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, where visitation is 5-8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.
The funeral is at 10 a.m. Saturday at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland, with burial at Pilgrim Home Cemetery of Holland.
In honor of the Marine, the Holland mayor is ordering U.S. flags throughout the city to half staff Wednesday through Saturday.
A church known for its noisy, anti-military funerals, says it plans to protest on Saturday.
On Monday, President Obama signed a new law that restricts protesters from gathering within 300 feet of a military funeral two hours before and two hours after a service, saying " The graves of our veterans are hallowed grounds."
Members of the community of Holland are already planning a counter-protest. Two women created a Facebook page, asking thousands of people to help them form a human shield to protect the family.
Hundreds of people, a few from across the country, have pledged their support.
One woman wrote quote "I think it shows that people are truly upset that someone may and could, try to blemish someone's truly brave sacrifice for freedom, justice, democracy and loyalty."
It's not known if the protestors will show up. Organizers say if you want to help form the human shield, to please bring an American flag, not a protest sign.