Interstate 70 westbound will be closed this afternoon for fallen Marine’s progression

Saint+Charles+locals+waiting+for+Schmitzs+procession+on+the+overpass+near+the+Convention+Center

Photo by Ben Kaiser

Saint Charles locals waiting for Schmitz’s procession on the overpass near the Convention Center

Ben Kaiser, News Editor

From Lambert Airport to Cave Springs, Interstate 70 will have its west lanes closed this Wednesday afternoon for local fallen Marine, Jared Schmitz.

Starting at 1 p.m. today., Lance Corporal Schmitz, 20, will be escorted from the airport down 12 miles on I-70 to Baue Funeral Home near the Cave Springs exit. Private vehicles as well as military vehicles will be part of the procession.

“No traffic will enter the westbound lanes of the interstate while escort is traveling the approximately 12 miles,” Trooper Dallas Thompson said on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Thompson also said that the procession “will take 20 minutes.”

Lance Cpl. Schmitz was one of the 13 U.S. service members killed almost two weeks ago in a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan. The U.S. said that it was most lethal day for American forces in Afghanistan since 2011.

Kate Thompson setting up a tribute for I-70 drivers (Photo by Ben Kaiser)