Family lays fallen Marine to rest (Cliff Golla)

Family and friends gathered Saturday to remember a Charlotte Marine.

Lance Corporal Cliff Golla was laid to rest two weeks after being killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq.

"I'm proud to know him because he served our country and knowing that he died for our country... so.. he was just a nice guy," said family friend Taisha Saavedra, one of several mourners who came to St. Matthews Catholic Church in south Charlotte to pay their respects.

Golla's sister, Lynette Ingram, spoke to 6News about her brother's sacrifice two weeks ago after learning of his death. "It's not good enough of a cause to send people, young men -- my brother was only 21," said Ingram.

But those who knew Cliff Golla weren't the only ones to turn out to show their support for his family and his fiancée.

Patriot Riders, a group of motorcyclists and veterans formed a year ago to counter war protesters who showed up at military funerals, rode in by the hundreds to give Golla a hero's farewell.

"We just want the family to know that America cares, and that their son or daughter - whatever the case may be - that didn't give their lives in vain," said ride captain Dennis Potts about the group's efforts.

Golla told friends before he left on his second tour of duty, that he wouldn't be coming home. They didn't believe him.

The Marine Corps presented Golla's family and fiancée with purple hearts during the funeral mass.

Golla was laid to rest in the Garden of Honor at Crown Point Memorial Park in Pineville.

Read the rest at WCNC 6

Related Link:
Marine from Charlotte killed in Iraq (Cliff Golla)

Note: Due to problems with blogger we were unable to post news of the fallen for the last 10 days. This post is part of the update from that period.