Thousands of people lined the streets of Hays this afternoon as the body of a fallen serviceman was escorted in a motorcade through Hays.

Chief Warrant Officer-2 Bryan Nichols was escorted from Hays Regional Airport to Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home along streets lined by citizens holding American flags in a silent tribute to Chief Warrant Officer Nichols.

Bryan Nichols, who was one of 30 American troops killed in Afghanistan when their Chinook helicopter was shot down. The 31-year-old Nichols, was a ’98 graduate of Thomas More Prep Marian High School, and served with the 158th Aviation Regiment Army Reservist in Olathe.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Al Billinger Fieldhouse on the TMP-Marian campus and from 9:00-9:30 a.m. Friday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

A parish vigil service will be at 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the fieldhouse.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday at the Al Billinger Fieldhouse, TMP-Marian campus. Burial with military honors will be in Pleasantview Cemetery in Palco, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to Braydon Nichols’ education fund or to TMP-Marian High School, in care of the funeral home. Condolences can be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.