N. ATTLEBOROUGH, Mass. -- North Attleborough is expecting a large turnout Thursday night for a vigil to be held for fallen U.S. Marine Captain Kyle Van De Giesen.

Police are already warning residents that the town will be enforcing special parking restrictions around Community Field, where the candlelight vigil will take place.

That is a good sign of how many people are expected at a vigil in honor of Van De Giesen, 28, who grew up in the town and attended high school there, leading his school team to a state championship in 1997 as starting quarterback.

The marine was killed in a helicopter collision in Afghanistan last week.

He died a week before he was scheduled to return home to California for the birth of his second child.

It's a loss that hit the North Attleborough community hard.

Ever since news broke there have been outpourings of support for Van De Giesen's family, including an effort to cover the town in yellow ribbons.

Thursday, the football field where he led his high school team to so many victories will be turned into yet another tribute.

The vigil starts at 6:30 at Community Field.

Parking will be allowed at Community school and at town hall but residents are advised to watch for "no parking signs" on streets near the field.

A funeral service at St. Mary's Church and processional around the town are scheduled for Friday, to be followed by burial at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.