A community gathered to pay respects for a fallen local U.S. Army soldier who lost his life just two weeks before he was scheduled to return home and get married. A huge patriotic crowd lined the procession route in Wright City as several emergency response agencies escorted the body of Pvt. Lucas M. Bregg through his hometown for one final goodbye. Bregg, a 19-year-old soldier, died July 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, from a noncombat-related incident. The Department of Defense has not released any details surrounding the incident since Bregg's death. Nearly 400 American flags lined the procession route. A huge oversized American flag hung from the Warrenton Fire Department's ladder truck near the four-way stop as the escort passed below. A motorcycle pulled a special enclosed glass hearse carrying Bregg's casket. "The only thing we can do is pay our respect," said Nancy Baker of New Melle. Bregg was scheduled to return home this month and marry his fiancee, Courtney Broyles, this Saturday, July 25. He joined the military a year ago and had been supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom for five months. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Calvary Regiment, 1st Calvary Division in Fort Hood, Texas. Burial was Saturday at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Most of those attending last week's procession were strangers who said they wanted to offer support to the family. Dave Campbell of Wentzville and Donald Kelling, Warrenton, waited for Bregg's arrival for over an hour. They clutched American flags the entire time. "It's like your neighbor," Campbell said. "You owe them that respect. I believe soldiers belong to all of us. The family lost somebody very special." For others, it was sad to know that a family lost a son at such a young age while serving his country. Pam and Jeff Hambach of Warrenton said Bregg's death hit close to home. One of their son's close friends is deployed overseas. "He's just a kid," Pam Hambach said. "He's just a baby." Bregg was born May 9, 1990, in Florissant. He is survived by his parents, Michael Bregg and Tracie Green; two brothers, Zachary and Colton Bregg; and one sister, Taylor Bregg. Bregg graduated in 2008 from Wright City High School after attending school there for only a short time. He previously attended Francis Howell North High School when he lived with his mother in St. Charles County. The Rev. Glenn Davis, pastor of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Wright City, was one person who had met Bregg previously. Davis officiated at Bregg's father's wedding ceremony. "He was a good kid," Davis recalled. "A nice young man, very respectful." Gary Ruebling, commander for American Legion Post 122 in Warrenton, was thankful to see the support shown by the community. "I think it's an education for everyone in Warren County," Ruebling said. "He was serving his country in a foreign land. I like to think the kid thought he was doing the right thing at the right time. It's unfortunate." Local agencies that took part in last Thursday's procession included the Wright City Fire Department, Warren County Sheriff's Department, Warrenton Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol. Fire trucks and crews lined each overpass between St. Charles and Wright City. Dollar General donated a box of unused miniature American flags to the Wright City Food Pantry that were distributed by Agape Ministry of Warren County staff. Gov. Jay Nixon ordered that all U.S. and Missouri flags flown on all state buildings in Warren County be flown at half-staff through July 24. Bregg's awards and decorations included the National Defense Service medal, Iraq Campaign medal with Bronze Service star, Global War on Terrorism Service medal, Army Service ribbon, Overseas Service ribbon, Combat Infantryman badge, Weapons Qualifications badge (expert) and Overseas Service bar, according to the governor's release. The release also said Bregg was awarded the Army Commendation medal and the Army Good Conduct medal posthumously.