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Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

Body of slain Massachusetts Marine returns home

Springfield Police and Massachusetts State Police escort the hearse bearing the casket of Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan in Springfield, Mass., Friday, July 24, 2015. The Marine was killed by a gunman in Chattanooga, Tenn. (Michael S. Gordon/The Republican via AP)
Springfield Police and Massachusetts State Police escort the hearse bearing the casket of Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan in Springfield, Mass., Friday, July 24, 2015. The Marine was killed by a gunman in Chattanooga, Tenn. (Michael S. Gordon/The Republican via AP) Springfield Police and Massachusetts State Police escort the hearse bearing the casket of Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan in Springfield, Mass., Friday, July 24, 2015. The Marine was killed by a gunman in Chattanooga, Tenn. (Michael S. Gordon/The Republican via AP)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) – Hundreds of people lined the streets of Springfield waving American flags and paying final respects as the body of a Marine killed by a gunman in Tennessee was returned to his hometown.

The body of Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan arrived at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut on Friday afternoon. The casket was placed in a hearse that was escorted by police along Interstate 91 to a funeral home in Springfield.

People crowded along Sumner Avenue and on highway overpasses to honor Sullivan.

Sullivan was among five service members killed during an attack on military facilities in Chattanooga last week.

The public is invited to calling hours Sunday afternoon at the T.P. Sampson Chapel of The Acres.