More than fifty people set up flags stretching over a mile. They used them to mark the path welcoming home Sgt. Rudzinski.
"He died for this flag, so when he comes into town, I want to make sure there is a flag close to him until his final resting place,” said organizer Larry Eckhardt.
Volunteers walked Champaign Avenue in Rantoul today, posting over 500 flags to remember Sgt. Chris Rudzinski.
"It doesn't matter whether you agree with the war or not, the young man died serving us…” said Eckhardt, “…so it's tremendously important that these flags go up."
Almost every volunteer had their hands on a flag. Community members said Rantoul is dedicated to its soldiers.
"Everybody supports their own here because this is a military town,” said Beverly Robinson. “You know the air force base used to be here and something like this happens it touches everybody."
Even though Rudzinski is gone, volunteers said he’d never be forgotten.
"Rudzinski paid the ultimate price, so you know, he will live in this town forever,” said Robinson.
The flags are flying to honor Rudzinski's return, but they also help those in pain, heal.
Eckhardt added, "This can't take away the hurt their feeling, but maybe it can help them get through the day,”
The flags will be moved from the road tomorrow. They’ll be following Sgt. Rudzinski from his funeral, then posted again at his grave.