Bikers carry fallen marine’s remains across the country

Turner died from combat injuries in California.

In Staff Sargeant Turner’s career, he deployed seven times over seas. “I need the family to know that you’re not alone and we care”.

A different group of riders left the west coast Thursday.

Arkansas’ Patriot Guard riders started their journey to returning a hero’s remains home to his family in Georgia on Saturday.

“This is a free nation because of military members like Staff Sergeant Johnathan Turner served our nation and kept us a free country”, Ashby said.

“Patriot Guard Riders decided that was not appropriate, that we would carry him, handing him off state to state”, said Rick Romero, Patriot Guard Rider.

“I got on the road at 6 o’clock [Friday] night out of Huntsville, Alabama and I rode over to Oklahoma”, Asha Lamy said.

“The California Patriot Guard Riders contacted all of the state captains from California to Georiga and explained the situation, that it wasn’t proper to ship this war hero home via FedEx”, said Jeff Goodiel of the Georgia Patriot Guard Riders.

At a rest stop near the border on Interstate 40, they paused for a brief ceremony.

After Turner’s remains had gone through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma, it was Arkansas’ turn to take him one step closer.

“We don’t have to do it but we choose to”, Harry Temple, another rider added.

According to the Patriot Guard’s website, “Turner was a great leader who inspired his fellow Marines, both in the Corps and in daily life”.

Riders are expected to arrive at Turner’s mother’s house Sunday night.