The body of fallen Army SSgt. Matthew Sitton, a Pinellas County native, has been returned to the Bay area.
Sitton, 26, an Army Ranger sniper, deployed last Feb. 28. That was his birthday and his third deployment. Army officials said Sitton died after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.
Sitton's remains arrived at MacDill Air Force Base just after 10 a.m. An honor escort accompanied Sitton's body through Tampa and Pinellas County, to its final destination at to Hubbell Funeral Home in Indian Rocks Beach.
Hundreds of people turned out along Ulmerton Road to honor Sitton, who was a 2004 graduate of Indian Rocks Christian School.
The procession passed beneath aerial trucks displaying the flag of the United States, which were put in place by St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue.
Sitton's widow spoke out Wednesday because she wanted everyone to know they're welcome at the funeral and she still loves the military.
Sitton's funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks on Ulmerton Road.