Family members of Army Sgt. Lucas Beachnaw, killed earlier this month in Afghanistan, touched his flag-draped casket this morning before it was carefully loaded into a white hearse.

This emotional moment came just minutes after a small charter plane carrying Beachnaw's body landed about 9:30 a.m. at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

As she walked back from the casket, which was positioned next to the plane, Beachnaw's sister, Jamie, sobbed uncontrollably.

Lucas Beachnaw died Jan. 13 during a firefight in eastern Afghanistan.

A crowd of about 100 gathered on the tarmac outside the Northern Air hanger this morning, waiting for the plane in 20-degree temperatures.

Beachnaw, 23, was a 2004 Lowell High School graduate.

Sgt. Robert Blankinship, the roommate of Beachnaw at an Italy military base, accompanied his friend's remains on the plane.

He described his friend as someone who lived life to the fullest.

"I think he probably lived more in 23 years than most people could live in their lifetime. I feel like he lived in the fast lane," he said of Beachnaw.

Blankinship talked briefly about Beachnaw's final moments, but said he wanted to give details to the family before divulging more.

"His demeanor didn't change, even after he got shot. That's why everything felt so surreal," he said. "He didn't show fear in his eyes."

Blankinship was about 50 yards away from Beachnaw when the shooting happened.

From the airport, a motorcade of police and emergency vehicles accompanied Beachnaw's hearse to the Roth Gerst Funeral Home in Lowell.

Two visitations are slated for today, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Ada Bible Church, 8899 Cascade Road SE.

The funeral will be held at the church at 10:30 a.m. Friday.