ALBANY, Ga. (AP) - Thousands of southwest Georgians lined the route as Marine Lance Cpl. Steve Sutton made his journey to his final resting place.

The 24-year-old joined the Marines in 2009 and was attached to the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Divison. The Albany Herald reports Sutton was killed over Memorial Day weekend in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan during combat operations.

More than 240 Patriot Guard Riders formed a flag line as Sutton's body was delivered to the church for his funeral service, which was limited to family and friends. But crowds gathered along U.S. Highway 19 and Dawson Road to say goodbye.

First Baptist Church of Leesburg Pastor Bobby Harrell told those gathered during Sutton's eulogy, "we saw a lot of love for this family."