UPDATE: Fallen Elgin Marine returns home...
The city of Elgin will join family and friends this weekend to remember Cpl. Alex Martinez, a 21-year-old Marine who died Thursday in Afghanistan's Helmand province, the Department of Defense said.
Elgin Police Commander Glenn Theriault said the services will begin after a Patriot Guard procession from O’Hare International Airport to Elgin. Visitation services are rescheduled to be held 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at Laird Funeral Home, 310 S. State St. in Elgin.
Martinez was assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Elgin residents and friends of Martinez are invited to join others in downtown Elgin during the procession.
An additional funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Life Changers International Church, located at 2500 Beverly Road in Hoffman Estates, where Martinez was a regular churchgoer.
The family of the Marine has set up a post office box address for condolences:
Family of Cpl. Alex Martinez
P.O. Box 905
Carpentersville, IL 60110
