ST. CHARLES, Mo. – A Marine who was killed in a training accident last month is expected to return home to St. Louis this week, and there are hopes for a large homecoming similar to that of another fallen local Marine in 2021.

Sgt. Colin Arslanbas, 22, died April 18 near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. He graduated from Fort Zumwalt West High School in O’Fallon, MO, in 2019.

Mark Schmitz is the father of Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, another Marine from Wentzville who was killed in a 2021 Afghanistan suicide bombing. Jared was brought home to Lambert St. Louis International Airport and transported to Baue Funeral Home in St. Charles, where thousands lined the 12-mile stretch of highway and streets to honor him.

Now, Mark is urging the public to show the same support for Arslanbas, who was once Jared’s classmate.

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“Sgt. Colin Arslanbas deserves a hero’s welcome home and I know what this will mean for his mother (and) family firsthand,” Schmitz said in a Facebook post. “Get those signs made; pull your kids out of school…it’s support time, STL!”

According to Schmitz, Arslanbas is expected to return to Lambert St. Louis International Airport Friday around 12:30 p.m. and will be transported to Baue Funeral Home.

Arslanbas’ funeral service will be private. According to Schmitz, Colin’s family is asking for donations in his memory in lieu of flowers.

Donations can be made through the Reconnaissance Foundation or via Zelle at arslanbasmemorial@gmail.com, which will go directly to Arslanbas’ wife, Gracie.

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