TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Salutes, flags and tears marked the 170-mile procession that brought fallen Marine, 28-year-old Captain Miguel Nava, from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Grand Rapids Airport to the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City on Monday.

As the body of Marine Corps Capt. Nava headed to Traverse City, where he will be laid to rest on Saturday, he was escorted by Michigan State troopers and a semi-truck with a flatbed trailer holding a large flag could also be seen with the procession.

Who was Captain Nava?

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Capt. Nava was one of five Marines who was killed in a helicopter crash in the mountains outside of San Diego, California on February 6th.

Born in Traverse City and raised in Comstock Park, he graduated from Comstock Park High School and then attended the U.S. Naval Academy. Nava was commissioned into the Marine Corps in 2017 to become a pilot and attained the rank of Captain in 2021 through a promotion.

His obituary is now posted on the funeral home’s website and explains his love of northern lower Michigan and how he spent most summers boating on Long Lake in Traverse City.

The obituary also says, “Miguel was an exceptional man whom many admired. He exemplified all that is good and right in the world. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He will be remembered by many and his influence will be recognized beyond his time here.”

A trip from Grand Rapids to Traverse City.

After his body arrived at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport on Monday, streets were blocked out and tributes were paid as he left the airport.

Mike Myers, State Captain for the Patriot Guard Riders, who helped organize the escort, told 9&10 News, “It is an honor for us to stand for him. He served us and our country defended our democracy, and we want to be there to honor him at this very difficult time for his family.”

Myers went on to say, “In addition to the 40-plus members of my organization…there were about 100 local people, citizens and a whole contingent of fire departments and firetrucks at the entrance to the airport.”

Flags, salutes and tributes all along the way.

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While in Grand Rapids, officials from Kentwood and the Grand Rapids Fire Department raised a Garrison flag as the motorcade left the airport. A Garrison flag is a large American flag that is typically flown on military installations, forts, or garrisons.

Various military branches, such as the Navy, American Legion, and the Marines, lined the street as well to pay tribute to Nava’s life.

The route taken after leaving the airport included I-96 north, and then on 131 north through Reed City and Cadillac. From there, the procession went through Kalkaska, then traveling on 72 going into Traverse City. Troopers from Traverse City took over the escort at Reed City at approximately 1:45 p.m.

Police, Fire, EMS and others honor Nava as he’s transported to northern lower Michigan.

Along the route, many veterans, Michigan State Police, local sheriff’s offices, fire departments and other first responders paid their respects to Capt. Nava including the Cadillac firefighters who were on overpasses and saluted Capt. Nava as his body was escorted by.

The procession along the Cadillac route can be seen in this video. Additionally, firefighters had their firetrucks on the overpasses and hung a flags over them.

Cadillac overpasses full of tributes.

On their Facebook page, the Cadillac firefighters said, “This afternoon we had the honor of showing support for fallen Marine Captain Miguel Nava, as he made his way to Traverse City from Grand Rapids. In coordination with our friends down in Osceola County, almost every overpass from Reed City to north of Cadillac was covered. Our friends from Cherry Grove were at Tustin’s 20 Mile Road. Our Engine 1 along with Peterson’s Towing and Cadillac DPW were at 45 Rd. Our Engine 2, Tower Ladder 1, Fire Marshall, Mobile Medical Response A170 & B150, & and units from Cadillac Police were all at the M-55 overpass. And Haring Fire covered the Boon Rd overpass.”

Team Elmers, a Traverse City company involved in asphalt, excavation, concrete, crane and rigging, is located on 72 and is along the route of the procession. They had a huge flag hanging from a crane as the procession went by to pay tribute to Capt. Nava.

On their Facebook page, they say, “As the flag waves high above, shading the ground where a fallen Marine comes home for his last goodbye, let it remind us of his bravery, sacrifice, and love for our country. Even though his journey ends here, his spirit will always be with us, flying alongside the flag he fought for. In this sad but grateful moment, we stand together, honoring a hero whose courage will never be forgotten.”

A video of Capt. Nava arriving in Traverse City can be seen here.

Capt. Nava will be laid to rest in Traverse City on Saturday

The family has requested that the community allow the family and friends of Capt. Nava to grieve in private at the visitation, funeral service and burial at the cemetery on Saturday that is listed in the obituary.

However, a source in the community, said there will be flags placed along the route from the church to the Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens cemetery to honor Capt. Nava on Secor/Silver Lake, Silver Lake/South Airport, South Airport/31 and South Airport/Veterans Drive.

Traverse City usually has a large presence of community members and veterans to honor fallen military heroes so they will probably be seen along the route as well as possibly gathering at the VFW on Veterans drive which is along the route to the cemetery.

Capt. Nava is survived by his wife, Ryann, and newborn son, Luca, parents Javier and Lisa (Marks) Nava, brother Nikolas and many other loving family members and friends.

In Lieu of flowers, the Nava family asks that you donate to this link where 100% of he proceeds will go to help Ryann and their son.