UPDATE:
On Thursday, community members gathered to pay their final respects to Omaha’s fallen hero, Cpl. Daegan Page. Page was one of the 13 service members killed defending the Kabul airport during evacuations last month.
Vicar Doug Rothgeb knew Page from the time he was 6-years-old and who has taken on the responsibility of hosting the visitation and funeral.
He said he wanted the people who passed through for the visitation to leave with a better idea of who Page was beyond his role as a Marine and with a sense of connectedness.
“We’re grieving as a nation," Rothgeb said. "We’re grieving as a community, we’re grieving as a congregation, we’re grieving as a family and friends. And we want everyone to know that we’re grieving together.”
In the sanctuary where Page spent Sunday mornings, surrounded by boyhood photos and with a brother in arms keeping watch for every second, a final farewell was said by many to the young man.
Scott Knudsen, captain of the Nebraska Patriot Guard, said as he paid his respects, he offered up a prayer of thankfulness for the servicemember.
“I held him up to God as an example of the majority of people in this world and this United States of America," Knudsen said.
Among the mourners were some who knew Page, but many came to because they're feeling the loss of an Omaha son.
“The people of Nebraska are a strong people, and they understand the tragedy of this loss," Knudsen said.
Through tears, salutes and silent prayers, the city that calls him hero had their own moment to honor Cpl. Page.
“It’s amazing how many people want to come and support - and they’re still coming," Rothgeb said.
While the sanctuary will be reserved for loved ones, the vicar says they have a space for about 600 people in their community center for anyone wanting to attend the funeral Friday morning.
The funeral is scheduled for 10am at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
The visitation will continue until 8:00 p.m. tonight with no eulogy or speakers. That will happen at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow during Page’s funeral which we will stream on-air, on our Facebook page, here on our website and on the 3 News Now apps.
3 News Now reporter Jessika Eidson will have more on Page's visitation tonight at 10:00.
The visitation is from 5-8pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran church. No speakers or eulogies are planned, so the community can come any time during those 3 hours to pay their respects. @3NewsNowOmaha
— Jessika Eidson KMTV (@JessikaEidsonTV) September 16, 2021
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Family, friends and the community will gather Thursday night to pay their respects to Corporal Daegan Page, the young marine killed during an attack on the Kabul airport last month.
Thousands turned out last Friday as the 23-year old Millard South graduate's remains were returned to Omaha.
RELATED: The remains of Cpl. Daegan Page arrive at Eppley Airfield, Omaha honors fallen Marine
The family has continually thanked the community for their outpouring of support since the marine was killed in that attack in Afghanistan in late august.
A public visitation Thursday is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Saint Paul Lutheran Church located at 133rd and Millard Ave.
The community is encouraged to attend Thursday's visitation.
Friday, his funeral service will be held at the church at 10 a.m.
Seating is limited and the sanctuary will be reserved for family and friends of Corporal Page.
Following the funeral service, Corporal Page will be laid to rest at the Omaha National Cemetery in a service to include full military honors.
Omaha Police will close the processional route with traffic re-routed or delayed from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m.
Because of expected crowds, VA officials are asking people to pay tribute to him along the procession route.
Friday morning's funeral services will all be streamed online.
The family has requested media to help with this effort, giving people a chance to watch the service from their home or business.
We will carry the entire service on our website and on all our streaming platforms.
The family said they've heard of various groups that are planning to gather at local restaurants or other locations to watch the service together.
They're encouraging people to do this and to share photos of their gatherings on the Corporal Daegan Page - Never Forgotten Facebook page.
SEE MORE: Sen. Ernst honors fallen Cpl. Daegan Page, speaks in Senate about her connection to his family
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