BY SHERI McWHIRTER and ALEX PIAZZA
Record-Eagle staff writers
TRAVERSE CITY —
About 80 local veterans are expected to welcome back this morning an Antrim County Marine who died in Afghanistan.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jason Dean Calo's body is set to arrive at 1:10 p.m. today at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City. Members of the Patriot Guard Riders plan to escort his remains to Mortensen Funeral Homes in Mancelona in preparation for next week's memorial service.
The procession is expected to exit the airport on Parsons Road, turn left on 3 Mile Road, right on U.S. 31, right on M-72 in Acme, left on U.S. 131 in Kalkaska, then left on State Street in Mancelona, where it concludes at the funeral home.
"We intend to be downtown in uniform with flags to honor his sacrifice," said Herbert Tipton, of the American Legion Post in Mancelona. "You see it every day on the news, but it's a little different when it's your town."
Members of the Mancelona High School football team also plan to line the streets to support Calo and his family, said assistant coach Dave Derrer. Calo, a 2005 graduate, was considered by coaches as a leader on the football field.
Josh Hoppe, assistant manager at Northland Food and Family Center in Kalkaska, said the public is welcome to watch the procession from the store parking lot, located at the corner of M-72 and U.S. 131.
Kalkaska police Sgt. Glenn Artress said authorities plan to manage traffic so the procession can safely turn toward Mancelona.
The Department of Defense reported Calo, 23, died Sunday and was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force and stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. He had been in Afghanistan since June.
Calo was described as a fire support man, a position designed to observe and monitor artillery fire, said Staff Sgt. Juan Vara, of the 2nd Marine Division.
Afghanistan was Calo's second deployment since he enlisted with the Marines in November 2006. He served in Iraq from September 2008 to April 2009.
Calo became a sergeant in July 2009, according to the 2nd Marine Division. He received several military honors, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.
His visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, and funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Mancelona High School gymnasium.
