A fallen soldier from Knightsville is laid to rest.
Hundreds attended today's funeral for Specialist Arronn Fields, including Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.
NBC 2 's Kellie Bartoli reports.
A somber day in Brazil, Indiana on Tuesday, as the community buries a native son.
"It just hurts a lot. To see our guys...our service men and women die for us. I have to be here to show my respect," said Kathy Robinson, a military supporter from Illinois.
Ron Coleman, state captain for the Indiana Patriot Guard Riders, adds: "A lot of citizens throughout the United States that want to show the family and show the community that we're here to show honor and respect, and we're here to take care of them."
Specialist Arronn Fields was killed in a grenade attack while doing patrols in Afghanistan last month. The Knightsville native was just 27 years old, and had only deployed in January.
Friends, family, even those who didn't know the solider, gathered at the Church of the Nazarene to pay their final respects.
"Their sacrifices and their bravery...it's just where my heart is. That's about all I can say," said Kimberly Johnson, who runs the Hoosier Hills Armed Forces Families Association.
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels says, "I always view this as the most important part of my assignment. I'm here for me, yeah, but I'm here on behalf of six and a half million people who wish they could be here."
An escort that stretched for miles then took Specialist Fields to his final resting place.
"It really tugs at your heart to see the patriotism, everyone out showing their respect...covering their heart, giving respect to someone. And I think Specialist Fields deserved something like this," said Major General R. Martin Umbarger of the Indiana National Guard.
Mourners gave Specialist Fields an honorable - and patriotic- send-off.
Hundreds of American flags blowing in the breeze, waving goodbye to the hometown hero... the only sounds a lone bagpipe and military salute.
"There's nothing we can do that suffices really. Just to say to those we've lost and to their families how much we love them and how much we'll always honor them," said Gov. Daniels.
Specialist Fields died for his country - and his community... one that will always remember his sacrifice.
"It doesn't end today," said Maj. Gen. Umbarger. "We will never forget Arronn, and we'll be here for him."
Specialist Fields enlisted in the National Guard in 2006.
He's the 23rd Indiana guardsman to be killed in the line of duty since 2001.
Hundreds attended today's funeral for Specialist Arronn Fields, including Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.
NBC 2 's Kellie Bartoli reports.
A somber day in Brazil, Indiana on Tuesday, as the community buries a native son.
"It just hurts a lot. To see our guys...our service men and women die for us. I have to be here to show my respect," said Kathy Robinson, a military supporter from Illinois.
Ron Coleman, state captain for the Indiana Patriot Guard Riders, adds: "A lot of citizens throughout the United States that want to show the family and show the community that we're here to show honor and respect, and we're here to take care of them."
Specialist Arronn Fields was killed in a grenade attack while doing patrols in Afghanistan last month. The Knightsville native was just 27 years old, and had only deployed in January.
Friends, family, even those who didn't know the solider, gathered at the Church of the Nazarene to pay their final respects.
"Their sacrifices and their bravery...it's just where my heart is. That's about all I can say," said Kimberly Johnson, who runs the Hoosier Hills Armed Forces Families Association.
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels says, "I always view this as the most important part of my assignment. I'm here for me, yeah, but I'm here on behalf of six and a half million people who wish they could be here."
An escort that stretched for miles then took Specialist Fields to his final resting place.
"It really tugs at your heart to see the patriotism, everyone out showing their respect...covering their heart, giving respect to someone. And I think Specialist Fields deserved something like this," said Major General R. Martin Umbarger of the Indiana National Guard.
Mourners gave Specialist Fields an honorable - and patriotic- send-off.
Hundreds of American flags blowing in the breeze, waving goodbye to the hometown hero... the only sounds a lone bagpipe and military salute.
"There's nothing we can do that suffices really. Just to say to those we've lost and to their families how much we love them and how much we'll always honor them," said Gov. Daniels.
Specialist Fields died for his country - and his community... one that will always remember his sacrifice.
"It doesn't end today," said Maj. Gen. Umbarger. "We will never forget Arronn, and we'll be here for him."
Specialist Fields enlisted in the National Guard in 2006.
He's the 23rd Indiana guardsman to be killed in the line of duty since 2001.
