Nearly 24 hours before he would learn his son was killed while deployed overseas, Michael Bregg received a text message. In it, Pvt. Lucas Bregg wrote about his upcoming return and plans to celebrate his father's wedding anniversary. "He couldn't wait to get home," the elder Bregg said. Sadly, it was the final communication between Bregg and his 19-year-old son. The next evening military personnel arrived at his house to inform him about his son's death. During an interview earlier this week, Bregg wanted to publicly thank family, friends, and strangers for their outpouring of support as the family tries to move forward from the tragic ordeal. Lucas Bregg, a 2008 Wright City High School graduate, died July 8 from a noncombat-related incident suffered while serving in Baghdad, Iraq. "Our strength was bolstered by the community's support," Bregg told The Record. "No one can go through this alone. I am very proud of the community and the county. It was a huge shot in the arm in a time we could have fallen apart." Bregg said he's trying to meet face-to-face with many of those responsible for organizing a funeral procession held July 16 in Wright City while finding other avenues to thank others. Bregg's comments also follow a public spat during a Wright City board of aldermen meeting held two weeks ago where residents questioned Mayor Roy White's handling of the procession. White refused to take part in organizing the event, telling at least one city official he wanted the family to contact him first before doing so. Bregg said he was unaware of the controversy, but doesn't want others to feel like they have to leave the family alone. "We have nothing but good to say in the support we received," Bregg explained. "It's been nothing but positive." Bregg said as the motorcade of vehicles reached the Wright City exit off Interstate 70 during the July 16 procession, he was blown away by the turnout. He estimated the procession attendance was close to 3,000, if not more. Beside his father, Lucas Bregg is survived by his mother, Tracie Green; and three siblings, Zachary, Colton and Taylor Bregg. Lucas Bregg lived with his father for 1 1/2 years after moving out of his mother's house. He was laid to rest July 18 at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. "The regret I have is I don't have more time with him," Bregg said. The Department of Defense has not released any more details surrounding the incident. When asked about the cause of his son's death, he declined to speculate what might have happened. He noted his son loved serving in the military and was eager to get back home. Lucas Bregg was scheduled to marry his fiancée Courtney Broyles on July 25. "I have people asking questions that I don't have an answer to," Bregg said. Bregg said he will remember all the supportive moments offered by everyone involved. As the procession made its way from Wright City to the funeral home, Bregg recalled the scene of a soldier standing at attention in the pouring rain in the Baue Funeral Home parking lot in St. Charles. Standing alongside the soldier was his wife and three young children, all saluting the casket's arrival as well. "That show of support helped me," he said. "This was something that was very special. It was more than I ever expected. "It wasn't just my son, it was everybody's son."