With flags in hand, hundreds lined Route 6 Thursday afternoon to honor Lance Corporal Matthew R. Rodriguez who was killed in action on Dec. 11 in Afghanistan.

The 19-year-old Marine, a combat engineer, was a resident of Fairhaven. He was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

He is the cousin of Mattapoisett and Rochester Veterans Agent Barry Denham.

On Thursday, Rodriguez's body arrived at the New Bedford Airport and traveled by motorcade along Route 6 through his hometown and then to Mattapoisett, where flags were lowered to half mast.

Among those who came out to support the fallen soldier was John Grant, a former Marine who works in Marion.

"He gave his life for his country, and we would like to honor him for that. Both he and his family have suffered greatly for this country," said Grant.

Another Marine Corps veteran, Scott Hendry, said he heard about the procession on Facebook and drove over from Plymouth.

"This is who our true heroes are right here," he said.

Hendry was thankful for the large number of people who came out to show their respect.

Police and firefighters from surrounding towns participated in the motorcade. As the soldier's body arrived at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, veterans lining the driveway saluted the young man.

"It's just a shame," said one woman.