MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. – Residents from all over Carteret County lined US 70 Friday morning to pay their respects to 23-year-old Sergeant James Slape as he took his final ride through his hometown.

• He was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan
• His unit deployed in April of this year
• Family is asking for donations to the EOD Warrior Foundation

The North Carolina National Guard soldier was killed by an improvised explosive device in Helmund Province Afghanistan on October 4. His unit deployed in April of this year and was set to return in the Spring. He married Shawn shortly before deploying in 2017.

Many residents of Morehead City, Beaufort, Newport and New Bern came to honor the soldier who gave his life for our freedom, they held up flags as the hearse passed through town.

“It was an honor, it was a big honor to ride down the road and see all the people out there to honor this sergeant and what he did for his country. He gave the ultimate sacrifice and for that these people stood for him,” says Ed Faude with the North Carolina Patriot Guard, one of 27 motorcycle riders leading the procession.

Family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 10, 2018, at Munden Funeral Home in Morehead City, located at 2112 Ardell St.

In lieu of flowers, family is asking for donations to the EOD Warrior Foundation or by mail to EOD Warrior Foundation, 701 John Sims Pkwy E., Ste. 305, Niceville, FL 32578 or to the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter, 100 Wildlife Way, Newport, NC 28570.