A solemn homecoming unfolded on local roadways Friday as a hearse bearing the remains of 1st Lt. Leevi K. Barnard — who had been killed in Iraq eight days earlier — made its way to Mount Airy.

After arriving at Piedmont Triad International Airport, the body was escorted to Moody Funeral Home here in a procession including military personnel along with the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle association, N.C. Highway Patrol, Mount Airy police and Surry County Sheriff’s Office.

In anticipation of the procession’s arrival in Surry County, local residents — many waving small American flags — gathered at strategic points along U.S. 52 to greet the deceased North Carolina Army National Guard member’s arrival in Surry County.

At Pilot Mountain, for example, people lined the N.C. 268 overpass to watch the group pass, while others were on hand at U.S. 52’s intersection with South Main Street at the southernmost entrance to Mount Airy.

As the line of motorcycles and other vehicles headed into town on Rockford Street, respectful crowds were spotted outside Northern Hospital to greet its arrival. Meanwhile, more flag-carrying onlookers were found on the streets near the Mount Airy Public Library, while others watched from vantage points at the intersection of West Pine and Willow streets near the funeral home.

“It’s really sad,” said one observer, Barbara Utt of Mount Airy, who knows members of Lt. Barnard’s family. “I worked with his mother and uncle at what used to be Kentucky Derby Hosiery,” Utt said of Tom Barnard and Pam Barnard Payne.

The occasion really hit home to another local resident, Linda Stanfield, who watched from the intersection of Pine and Willow streets.

“I have a son in Iraq and I feel we owe this gentleman a debt of gratitude for sacrificing for all of us,” Stanfield said of Barnard, 28, who was from Ararat, Va., and a 1998 graduate of Patrick County High School. He also had numerous family and other ties to Mount Airy.

“I wanted them to know we care,” Stanfield said of the field artilleryman’s survivors.

Others on the streets simply recognized the supreme contribution Barnard had made through his military service. “I just came out in respect for the young man and his family,” said Eddie Slate.

As the procession arrived at the funeral home around noon and city police blocked both lanes of West Pine Street, people lined each side of that roadway as the entourage passed between them while traveling from Graves Street.

The Patriot Guard Riders parked their bikes at the funeral home and stood at attention alongside uniformed military personnel as a six-man team of soldiers carefully lifted Barnard’s flag-draped casket from the hearse and carried it inside. Family members of Barnard filed into the building, some with tears flowing as attentive soldiers handed out tissues.

Barnard, who joined the Army National Guard in 2004, was one of three U.S. soldiers killed on May 21 by an explosion as they patrolled the Dora neighborhood of southern Baghdad. There are differing accounts of what happened, with the U.S. military saying the deaths were due to an improvised explosive device, while Iraqi officials said a suicide bomber detonated near the patrol.

The soldier’s body will remain at Moody Funeral Home until about 2 p.m. today, when the Patriot Guard Riders again will escort the casket to Blue Ridge Elementary School in Patrick County. A public memorial service and visitation will be held at the school tonight, with Barnard’s funeral scheduled there at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The main mission of the Patriot Guard Riders, many of whom are veterans, is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family.

A member of a Mount Airy veterans organization who watched the hearse arrive Friday from Rockford Street near the library said he came to pay his respects based on his knowledge of the dangers and other hardships military members must endure. Rawley King, commander of the local American Legion Honor Guard, said he looks at Lt. Barnard “as a comrade of mine who lost his life.”

King said that all community residents owe it to the military to be present for such an occasion, and should consider how they would want their son or daughter to be remembered under similar circumstances.

“I think instead of just a few people out here on the street,” King said of the attendance that was sporadic in places, “it ought to be knee-deep with hundreds of people out here.”

He added, “People say they respect veterans, but they ought to come out here and prove it.”

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.