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The first soldier from Bay City and Matagorda County to be killed in combat in Iraq returned home on Sunday.

Army Specialist David McCormick arrived by charter jet in a flag-draped casket at the Bay City Municipal Airport at 9:39 a.m. on Sunday. About 250 to 300 people were at the airport to show their respects to the soldier killed near Baghdad on April 28.

McCormick’s arrival was met with full military honors, including Army honor guards from Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. June McCormick, mother of the soldier, was at the airport, as were his brother Army cadet Will McCormick, sisters Kristy McCormick Davis and Mary Ann McCormick Davis and other family members.

Also on hand were Mayor Richard Knapik, County Judge Nate McDonald, and other City of Bay City and county officials.

Leaving the airport, a procession followed the hearse, which traveled north on Farm to Market Rd 2540 to Van Vleck, and then turned west on Highway 35 to the Bay City Funeral Home. Bay City police, Matagorda Sheriffs Office, Bay City Volunteer Fire Department fire trucks and 50 to 75 motorcycles from the Patriot Guard escorted the procession.

Along the route, people lined the road, waving flags. Members of several churches in Van Vleck and Bay City also stood outside holding flags.

Among mourners at the Wal-Mart shopping center was retired Navy man Wilson Cupples and his wife, Norma. She said, “It is just like family. Very, very sad. I have a grandson in the Army. I know what it’s like to worry.”

Her husband, with tears welling in his eyes, said, “He’s my brother.”

Tom Huston from Wadsworth is a member of the American Legion and also retired military. “I think he did a wonderful job, and it’s an honor to be here,” he said.

His wife, Martha, said, “It was just heartbreaking to hear.”

A Wal-Mart employee, who only wished to go by Pat, said there were condolence cards at both entrances to the store for people to sign. They will be presented to McCormick’s mother.

Bobby Head, who has been volunteering to hang flags in Bay City and VanVleck, said that Jay Hubbard from Power TEC Inc. had donated $1,000 toward the purchase of more flags.

H-E-B is also trying to get more flags for the Friday procession. The American Red Cross (979-245-3056) is taking donations as well.

The funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Bay City on Friday at 4 p.m. The public is invited. The funeral procession will depart from the First Baptist Church at 4th Street and Avenue F, head north to Highway 35 and proceed to Roselawn Cemetery in Van Vleck.

Ross Cunningham is a reporter-photographer for the Matagorda Advocate. Contact him at 979-244-1330 or rcunningham@vicad.com. Sharon Howerton is the general manager for the Matagorda Advocate. Contact her at showerton@vicad.com or 979-244-1330.