MANCHESTER, NH - US Navy Third Class Fireman Edwin C. Hopkins of Swanzey was escorted from the Manchester Boston Regional Airport Friday to Keene where he will be laid to rest with his parents.

Motorcycle officers from Londonderry Police and Manchester Police began the trip to Keene on Brown Ave, accompanying the American hero to Keene.

US Navy Third Class Fireman Edwin C. Hopkins, died while defending his country on December 7, 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Since 2008, his family, including his niece, Faye Hopkins-Boore of DE, has fought to bring him home to Keene, providing him with a final resting place with his parents and family in the Woodland Cemetery.

On December 31, 1940, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy and attended basic training at Great Lakes. He went on to attend power plant training in Newport, RI. Mr. Hopkins then spent 2 months at the Ford Motor Company School in Dearborn, MI.

On September 11, 1941, Edwin boarded the USS Oklahoma and headed to Pearl Harbor. Less than 3 months later, he lost his life along with 428 other crew members after the ship was struck by torpedoes.

The family said they are very proud that all their hard work, wishes, and prayers have been finally been honored.

Full Navy honors will be bestowed on Mr. Hopkins commencing with a funeral service on Saturday, October 15, 2016, at 1:00 PM in the Dillant-Hopkins Airport, 80 Airport Road, Keene, NH, with burial to follow in Woodland Cemetery, Beaver Street, Keene.

The Rev. Canon Samir J. Habiby, CDR, CHC, U.S. Navy (Retired) and Order of the Purple Heart, will officiate. Friends are invited to honor Mr. Hopkins on Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Dillant-Hopkins Airport.