Photo by Amber McIver-Traywick – Spc. Gabriel Conde arrived home at the Northern Colorado Regional Airport on Friday morning May 11.

Special to the Surveyor

Family and friends of Spc. Gabriel Conde gathered on the tarmac of the Norther Colorado Regional Airport this morning awaiting the arrival of the soldier who was killed in Afghanistan on April 30.

The group was joined by dozens of law enforcement officers, firefighters, Patriot Guard Riders and an Army Honor Guard who transferred the coffin from the plane to the waiting hearse. Despite the many people it was a quiet and somber event.

As the processional left the airport escorted by police, just outside the gates hundreds of people lined the roads to honor Conde. Along the entire route between Loveland and Berthoud people stood along the road to pay their respects, many waving American flag or saluting.

The processional left the airport in route to LifeBridge Christian Church in Longmont where his memorial service will take place Saturday May 12, at 1 p.m.