By Mike Hazlip—
Crowds of people lined both sides of Greenback Lane on Thursday as the funeral procession for US Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee made its way across Citrus Heights.
People waiving American flags, along with flags representing the Marines and other branches of service and first responders, gathered at several major intersections throughout the route.
One of the largest gatherings was at Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane where more than a hundred people stood in silence as the motorcade passed. Military veterans saluted, others bowed their heads and held flags.
SMUD provided a large crane with an American flag flying from the top. SMUD Military Employee Resource Group Co-leader Crystal Allen said the company wanted to show support for veterans.
“We are out here today just to show solidarity with our community to honor the fallen Marine, Sergent Gee,” Allen said. A number of SMUD employees are veterans, and the company actively seeks to employ service members, according to Allen.
Another attendee, retired Marine veteran Ron Gage, said Gee’s death affects all veterans.
“The ones we leave behind, we feel it,” he said.
Stephan Thomason came to show support for his cousin who was killed in action in Iraq. Thomason said Gee’s burial site is not far from where his cousin is laid to rest at Mount Vernon.
Citrus Heights Councilman Tim Schaefer, a veteran who served in the US Army military police from 1979-1981, watched the procession from Greenback Lane near Park Oaks Drive.
“This is a wonderful tribute to one of our daughters who have fallen in combat, that I can relate to as a veteran,” he said, calling it an emotional experience.
Citrus Heights police provided escort to the motorcade through the city along with several other law enforcement agencies. Several hundred motorcycles preceded the motorcade.
Gee was one of 13 United States troops and at least 60 Afghans killed Aug. 26 when two suicide bombers attacked a crowd of people outside the Kabul airport during evacuation efforts, according to reports by Associated Press and CBS13.
