TSM - Fairhaven residents line up on Center Street, near Rodriquez' home.
TSM - Fairhaven residents line up on Center Street, near Rodriquez' home.
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A sad homecoming on Thursday as the remains of Lance Cpl. Matthew Rodriguez of Fairhaven return to Massachusetts.  The 19-year-old U.S. Marine was killed in combat operations in Afghanistan last week. 

A plane carrying the body from Dover Air Force base arrived at New Bedford Regional Airport around 1pm.  A procession featuring honor guards and representatives of police and fire departments, traveled with the hearse through New Bedford and Fairhaven, passing by Rodriguez' family home. 

Sherri Lopes was among hundreds of people who lined Center Street in Fairhaven to honor Rodriquez and his family.....

Also paying their respects were elderly residents of Our Lady's Haven on Center Street, including World War Two vet Pedro Cruz who is 94 years old. 

TSM - 94 year old Pedro Cruz (center) stands to honor fallen Marine Matthew Rodriquez
TSM - 94 year old Pedro Cruz (center) stands to honor fallen Marine Matthew Rodriquez
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 A wake is set for Sunday from 1 to 7pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Funeral Home in Mattapoisett, followed by a 10am funeral service on Monday at the First Congregational Church on Center Street in Fairhaven. Burial will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

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