UPDATE: Officials say the ceremony has been delayed two hours.

The Butler County American Legion Riders have issued a call to action for residents to support the dignified return of a Korean War veteran's remains to his hometown.

Jim Miller, who coordinates military escorts for the Riders, is asking residents to stand along the route that they and troopers from the state police barracks in Butler will take in bringing home the remains on Wednesday of Cpl. James T. “Tommy” Mainhart 66 years after his death in Korea.

He also said any motorcyclists are welcome to join Mainhart's escort by arriving at the Lyndora American Legion Post 778 before kickstands go up at 10:30 a.m. for the trip to the Pittsburgh International Airport.

The Lyndora American Legion is at 150 Legion Memorial Lane, in Butler Township.

Miller said the airplane containing Mainhart's remains is scheduled to land at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday, and a military ceremony with Mainhart's family will be held in a cargo hall at the airport.

Following the ceremony, Allegheny County Police will escort the motorcycles and the hearse carrying Mainhart to Interstate 79.

“At the Butler County line the Butler state police will pick us up,” Miller said.

The entourage will travel through Cranberry Township between 1:30 and 2 p.m., where a tower truck from the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Department will display a huge American flag in honor of Mainhart's service.

The entourage will exit I-79 at Route 528 and proceed to Route 68, where it will remain up until it turns onto Whitestown Road in Butler Township. They will then take the Picklegate Crossing in Lyndora and proceed to Route 8 and on to Thompson-Miller Funeral Home in Butler.

Mainhart's funeral will be on Saturday, with services at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Mainhart's nephew, Tom Mainhart, said those services will include remarks from the Rev. Tom Jons of Summit Presbyterian Church and presentations by the Saxonburg VFW, the U.S. Army and the office of state Rep. Brian Ellis, R-11th.

Mainhart said the family has been receiving numerous calls from veterans organizations and the public inquiring about the funeral arrangements, and has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for his uncle.

“It's taken on a life of its own,” Mainhart said. “I never dreamed it would be like this.”

Miller said organizers of the escort hope people will turn out to celebrate the return of Cpl. Mainhart's remains.

“We want people standing along the route waving the flag,” Miller said.

He commented on the repeated turnout of Evans City residents when a military escort travels through the town, as it will between 2 and 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

“Evans City residents are extremely patriotic,” Miller said. “We've come through on Thanksgiving and at 2 a.m. and in the rain and cold, and they come out.”

One of those residents is Sheila Witzel, who lives near Route 68 in Forward Township, about a half-mile from Evans City.

Witzel said when she comes to Route 68 to help welcome a soldier home, it is an emotional experience.

“It brings tears to my eyes,” Witzel said. “It's important to show our respect for our veterans.”

She said her late husband served in the military just after World War II.

“I think about him when I think about the veterans coming past,” she said. “It gives you a good feeling to support them.”

Another familiar face in Evans City when veterans are escorted through is Dean McMillen, who, like Cpl. Mainhart, is a veteran of the Korean War. McMillen is the Commander of the Evans City American Legion Post 219.

Asked how he feels about his comrade's remains being escorted through Evans City, McMillen said all veterans deserve a warm welcome home, whether living or deceased.

“They need to be honored,” he said. “I plan on being there with my flags.”

McMillen passes out free hand-held American flags to residents who don't have one when lined up to greet a passing military escort in Evans City.

He passed out 30 flags Saturday night in Zelienople, when Army Staff Sgt. Jesse Hogan, a sniper and sharpshooter, returned from a deployment in Qatar.

Miller said he is expecting a good turnout on Wednesday along the route that will finally bring Mainhart's remains home.

“Western Pennsylvania as a whole is amazing in how patriotic they are and supportive of our military,” Miller said.