UPDATE: A Marine's Life Is Celebrated

It wasn't supposed to end this way. But U.S. Marine Cpl. Nicholas S. Ott finally came home today, his body laid to rest as a Mass and burial service celebrated his life.

A , a Manchester native who was killed on Aug. 10 in Afghanistan, was held Friday at Saint John's Roman Catholic Church in Lakehurst, one day after hundreds of mourners paid their respects during a public viewing at the same location.

Brian George, 38, who served in the U.S. Air Force for 18 years, was one of the many onlookers lining Myrtle Avenue in the borough to say goodbye as Ott's procession exited the church and traveled toward Route 70 on its way to the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown.

"We came to support an American hero," he said. "To support the family."

The Manchester Police Department Honor Guard stood watch as Ott's casket was brought into the church. Family and friends accompanied the Marine's body into the building as bagpipers played on.

About 45 minutes later, it was time for Ott to travel to his final resting place. Manchester and Lakehurst police, emergency responders, members of the Warriors' Watch Riders and countless vehicles of friends and family formed a procession that accompanied the corporal along the nearly 22-mile journey to the cemetery.

George looked on as they passed by. Even though he had never met Ott, he brought his son Daniel along to celebrate the life of the 23-year-old Marine, the 11th soldier from Ocean County to die since the attacks by Al Qaida militants on the World Trade Center and Pentagon and the failed attempt to crash a plane into the White House.

"It's sad. The United States lost a hero," George said. "It's a sad moment."

The , which ranged from memorials at Manchester's to the streets near the Ott family home, was proof to George that the people of the township appreciate the sacrifice of those in the armed forces.

"It shows that the citizens of Manchester care about their heroes in uniform," he said. "It's very nice to see, and it was very nice to see the support last night at the viewing. His untimely death will not be forgotten."

Ott  as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Ott will be added to Ocean County’s Fallen Soldier Monument as part of the 9/11 remembrance on Sept. 9, two days prior to the 10th anniversary of the attacks on America.

John Budenas, a Toms River man who is a 19-year Air Force veteran, sat with George. The two, like Ott, served in Afghanistan, though they also completed tours of Iraq. 

"We didn't know him, but he's our brother," Budenas said.