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BOY SCOUTS from El Dorado Hills Troop 454 salute during the procession. Democrat photo by Mike Roberts

FIREFIGHTERS SALUTE Staff Sgt. Sky Mote's motorcade as it travels toward Rolling Hills MIddle School, where Mote's father works. Democrat photo by Mike Roberts

THOUSANDS lined the streets in El Dorado Hills to honor Staff Sgt. Sky Mote on his final journey home Thursday evening. Democrat photo by Mike Roberts

NEVER FORGET — Marine Master Gunnery Sgt Ken Cannon of Placerville brought an 18-foot pole with the scarlet Marine flag, the stars and stripes and room for a couple more Thursday night. He was there because "“Sky’'s coming home,"” he said. "“There’s still a war going on …and I worry that people are forgetting that local men and women are still going over there, and sometimes they come back like this.”" Democrat photo by Mike Roberts

THE CURBSIDE menagerie on Thursday night was made up of an ad-hoc collection of veterans, police, firefighters, teachers, students, scout troops, bicycle clubs, plus a lot of regular folks and their families who came to pay tribute to a Marine who made the ultimate sacrifice. Democrat photo by Mike Roberts

MIKE MELENDEZ of El Dorado Hills maintained an unflinching salute as the entire procession passed Thursday night. The Army veteran came out with his wife and daughter "“to honor a fallen brother,”" he said. Democrat photo by Mike Roberts

SCOUTS PAY RESPECT — Russ Wilcox, not pictured, brought an estimated 50 scouts from Pack 454, all of whom held their salute respectfully as the procession passed. Democrat photo by Mike Roberts

WAR HERO — Silver star recipient Dick Grinnell, center-left, came out to pay his respects with his son Ed, center-right, a Naval Academy graduate and Desert Storm pilot. Dick'’s harrowing tale was featured in Village Life in May, 2011. Grandson Nick, right, and friend Greg Matson, left, were also on hand. Democrat photo by Mike Roberts

GOOD NEIGHBOR — Steve Morgan lives down the street from the Motes, and knows Russ through the El Dorado Rod and Gun Club. Morgan stood out on Silva Valley Parkway Thursday night, his pickup bearing a large American flag, looking like one of the ranchers that predate El Dorado Hills. Democrat photo by Mike Roberts

SALUTES, FLAGS AND TEARS — The hearse containing Sky Mote finally passed Thursday night, and was met by a combination of salutes, flags and tears. The event triggered a near-spontaneous coming out of a community that spends much of it’s time locked behind gates. Many took pictures, sensing the unprecedented nature of extemporaneous turnout. Village life photo by Mike Roberts

SALUTES, FLAGS AND TEARS — The hearse containing Sky Mote finally passed Thursday night, and was met by a combination of salutes, flags and tears. The event triggered a near-spontaneous coming out of a community that spends much of it’s time locked behind gates. Many took pictures, sensing the unprecedented nature of extemporaneous turnout. Village life photo by Mike Roberts

GOD BLESS 'EM — Jason Grebe brought his El Dorado Hills boys soccer team, the Hot Spurs, out for a different type of practice Thursday night. “"We’'re here to support the troops,"” he said. Village life photo by Mike Roberts

EL DORADO HILLS resident Dimitra Moestopo, center, observed; "“It’'s a sad time, but it’'s wonderful to see everyone coming together peacefully with no one in charge. Why can’t it be like this all the time? No arguing, no honking, complete unity."” She was on Silva Valley Parkway with her daughters, left, and her friend, Cindy Walden, right, and Cindy’s son Brad, holding flag, who, like many present that day, had Marsha Mote as a teacher. Democrat photo by Mike Roberts

SKY MOTE'S younger brother, Carson, rides on the Trojan Spartan High School Mountain Bike team at Oak Ridge High School. Their father Russ is a team coach. A couple dozen uniformed team members, led by Assistant Coach Mark Taylor, were on Silva Valley Road Thursday in support of the Mote family. Mountain Democrat photo by Mike Roberts