FORTY FORT -- Friends, family, and loved ones said their goodbyes to the 19-year-old airman who lost her life serving in Japan.
Family and friends say Shannon Purcell was a woman so full of life who was just taken way too soon.
Hundreds lined the streets in Luzerne County to honor her spirit, with local motorcyclists from veterans' groups led her funeral procession.
"It's very tragic. She died way too young," said Rob Neyhard of Forty Fort. "But look what the community did, the community did not forget her, obviously. She was well known in the community because of graduating from Valley West."
Close friends say she was extremely active in the community.
"It's the community coming out and honoring this young veteran who unfortunately died way too early," Neyhard added. "I've never seen anything like this before."
An Air Force honor guard carried her flag-draped casket out of the funeral home in Forty Fort. Motorcycle riders from veterans groups led a procession to St. Mary's Cemetery in Hanover Township.
Family and friends say she'll be remembered for the loving woman she was, and even total strangers were moved to tears by Purcell's service and selflessness.
"She was a good person," said James Dommes of Glen Lyon. Dommes never met Purcell personally, but was compelled to pay his respects for her 'selfless devotion.' "I mean, a lot of people don't want to go into the military anymore. They don't want nothing to do with it."