The body of an Army private killed in a skydiving accident will be taken in a procession from John Wayne Airport to the First United Methodist Church of Costa Mesa Wednesday.
The public is encouraged to line the route with American flags in honor of U.S. Army PFC Jake Chandler, who was killed Oct. 26, according to Honoring Our Fallen, which is organizing the procession.
Chandler graduated from the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program in May, making him eligible to attend Ranger School, considered one of the most difficult training experiences in the Army.
The procession is expected to begin at noon and follow this route:
— Right and southbound on Campus Drive out of the parking lot;
— Right and northbound on Bristol Street;
— Left entrance onto the northbound Corona del Mar (73) Freeway;
— Right entrance onto the southbound Costa Mesa (55) Freeway;
— The right exit on 22nd Street at Victoria Street off-ramp;
— Straight route from the southbound off-ramp on Newport Boulevard;
— Right turn heading westbound onto 19th Street;
— Right turn into the parking lot of First United Methodist Church of Costa Mesa, located at 420 W. 19th St.
According to biographical information supplied by Honoring Our Fallen, a Garden Grove-based nonprofit organization which provides support for families of fallen military personnel during the Transfer of Dignified Remains, Chandler was raised in Orange County and enjoyed the ocean.
Chandler was a nationally ranked junior surfer who later became a lifeguard at Huntington Beach. He decided to dedicate his protecting others through his service at the beach and continued his service by joining the Army.
“His commitment to safety, boundless enthusiasm, and passion impacted everyone around him,” organizers said in a statement.