ST. PETERS — Marine Sergeant Colin Arslanbas from O’Fallon, Missouri, who tragically died during a training exercise, will return home for the last time today. His body is expected to arrive at St. Louis Lambert International Airport around noon and will be brought to the Baue Funeral Home in St. Charles.
Sergeant Arslanbas, who was just 22 years old, lost his life in a parachute accident on April 18 during a late-night exercise near Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, as reported by Marine Corps Times. He had been promoted to sergeant on April 1st. Arslanbas, a 2019 graduate of Fort Zumwalt West High School, joined the Marines in 2020.
A procession is planned along I-70 from Lambert to the funeral home. Authorities will close portions of I-70 between 170 and Cave Springs during the procession, anticipating a large turnout similar to that for fallen Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, who was killed during a suicide bombing in Afghanistan in August 2021.
Schmitz’s father, Mark, has been vocal in supporting the Arslanbas family and has encouraged the community to show their support. The Arslanbas family, deeply saddened by the loss, stated that Colin lived life to the fullest. They are planning a private funeral and burial for him.