A Tomball Marine received a hero’s welcome last week in what many are describing as an overwhelming and incredible showing of love and support to a fallen soldier and his family.

The body of Marine Cpl. Jeffery Johnson was brought home May 18 after he was killed May 11 in Afghanistan. After being brought back to the United States to Dover Air Force Base in Maryland, Johnson’s body was flown to Hooks Airport via private charter.

Once it was determined that Johnson would be making his way home just a day before his arrival, the Tomball community rallied like it never has before. Thanks to phone calls, texts, e-mails, social networking sites, news media and just simple word of mouth, a welcoming fit for the hero Johnson was quickly organized.

Restaurants, business offices and schools along FM 2920 and Main Street in Tomball temporarily took a break from work, as well as the classroom, to pay their respects.

Thousands lined up along FM 2920 from Boudreaux Road to Klein Funeral Home, a five-mile stretch in which Johnson’s casket was carried after his body was flown in by jet to Hooks Airport.

At the airport, hundreds waited, many of them Patriot Guard Riders with large American flags in hand, for Johnson’s arrival at the Tomball Jet Center hangar. When the plane carrying his remains appeared, a hushed silence fell over the crowd.

Tomball Mayor Gretchen Fagan, State Representatives Allen Fletcher and Debbie Riddle and U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul spoke briefly to Johnson’s family and stood solemnly as the young Marine’s flag-draped casket was marched from the plane by fellow Marines and placed inside a hearse bound for Klein Funeral Home.

And as the procession made its way down FM 2920, with dozens of police cars and Patriot Riders on motorcycles, supporters decked out in red, white and blue fell silent as well.

The thousands who lined the streets, some for up to two hours, braved the heat and humidity, but few seemed to care.

Shortly before the caravan made its way through Tomball, members of the Tomball Fire Department hoisted a large American flag between two ladders over Main Street at Elm, marking the entrance to the city and to thousands of open arms and hearts to Johnson and his family.

What would normally be a 10-minute drive in heavy traffic turned into a 45-minute processional, but no one minded. Johnson’s family, near the front of the line immediately behind the hearse, sometimes gave solemn waves, sometimes cried and often mouthed the words “Thank you” to those standing by silently, American flags in hand.

Once Johnson’s body arrived at Klein’s, the crowds dispersed, but the day’s events still lingered as business signs read such tributes as “God Bless Cpl. Johnson and family,” hundreds of small American flags still lined Main Street and Tomball residents went back to school and work with heavy hearts.

Johnson’s funeral was held May 20 at Rosehill United Methodist Church. He was buried at Klein Memorial Park in Pinehurst shortly after the service.

Johnson leaves behind a wife, a mother, a father and step-mother and younger sister.

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