Thousands turned out late this morning to pay honor and respect to a former Peachtree City resident who was killed in Afghanistan last week while operating with the Army's elite Special Forces Unit.

Sgt. First Class Shawn P. McCloskey was welcomed home in a motorcade led by law enforcement and the Patriot Guard motorcycle team. Residents and local business employees took time from their day to line the roads as the procession went by before lunchtime.

(See more photos and details on the link)

McCloskey lived in Peachtree City and worked for Leslie Construction before enlisting in the Army, though he did not grow up in the city as erroneously reported by the Army.

He was serving his third tour in the Global War on Terror when his vehicle was struck by an explosive device Sept. 15, according to the Army. At the time he was patrolling in the Afghan city of Ghur Ghuri in support of combat operations while serving with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

McCloskey is survived by his wife Jessica, daughter Katie and son Collin of Raeford, N.C., parents Patrick and Kathryn McCloskey, sister Kelly A. (McCloskey) Anderson and nieces Morgan and Emma Anderson, all of Fayetteville.

A visitation will be Friday, Sept. 25 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Tyrone. A vigil for the deceased will begin at 7 p.m. and a funeral mass will be said Saturday, Sept. 26 at 10:30 a.m., also at St. Matthew.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking friends to donate to the Katie and Collin McCloskey scholarship fund at any Regions Bank location.

McCloskey, a native of Hudson, N.Y., was assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, non-commissioned officer professional development ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Special Operations Diver Supervisor Badge and the Special Forces Tab.

McCloskey’s military education includes the Warrior Leader’s Course, Basic NCO Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, Combat Diver Course, Special Operations Diving Supervisor Course, Air Movement Operations Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course and Special Forces Qualification Course.