Northern Arizona residents line Route 66 to honor Staff Sgt. Jonathan D. Davis

The Navajo Hopi Honor Riders escort the body of U.S. Marine Jonathan D. Davis to Tuba City through Flagstaff March 1. Ryan Williams/WGCN

The Navajo Hopi Honor Riders escort the body of U.S. Marine Jonathan D. Davis to Tuba City through Flagstaff March 1. Ryan Williams/WGCN

Hundreds of people lined Route 66 in downtown Flagstaff Friday morning as the body of Staff Sgt. Jonathan D. Davis passed through Flagstaff on the way to a funeral home in Tuba City.

The Navajo Hopi Honor Riders escorted Davis' body from Pulliam Airport passing through Flagstaff at about 8:30 a.m. The Honor Riders escorted Davis' body home to Kayenta March 2.

Davis, from Kayenta, died Feb. 22 in Afghanistan in the Helmand province while conducting combat operations.

Davis was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 32nd Georgian Liaison Team, Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

"The Navajo Nation mourns the loss of a warrior who gave his life defending freedom," Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly said. "We are saddened by the loss of our warrior and we offer our prayers to the family during this difficult time. Staff Sgt. Davis was a valued member of the Kayenta community and often remembered for helping to bring home two state high school basketball championships in late 1990s. His presence will be missed."

Shelly ordered the Navajo Nation flag be lowered from sunrise Feb. 26, through March 1, and again on the day of his funeral service March 2.

According to the Navajo Nation Veterans Department, Davis is the 13th Navajo member of the armed forces to be killed in action in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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