Body of slain Bolingbrook soldier returns home (slideshow)

Pfc. Michael Pearson   (Family photo / AP photo)    The Hearse carrying body of Pfc. Michael Pearson  (AP photo)

The remains of Pfc. Michael Pearson, 21, of Bolingbrook were returned to the Chicago area today.  A motorcade escorted the hearse as the body was taken from Midway Airport to a Joliet funeral home.   People lined the street along the route to pay tribute to Pearson. He was one of 13 people killed during last week's shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.

Today, U.S. Army officials charged Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan with the premeditated murder of Pearson and the 12 other victims. He faces the death sentence if convicted.

Pearson will be buried Saturday with full military graveside honors at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery following 2 p.m. services at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home in Joliet. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 10.p.m. at the funeral home on Friday. 

Instead of flowers, the family is requesting memorials in Pearson's name for a music scholarship they will be establishing soon.

See also: 4 area soldiers confirmed dead in Fort Hood rampage (Slideshow)