Grief and patriotism (Joseph Arellano)

CHEYENNE -- The funeral Tuesday for a 19-year-old Wyoming soldier killed in Iraq briefly transformed Cheyenne's downtown into an elaborate show of patriotism.

By the time the family of Pfc. James Joseph Arellano arrived at St. Mary's Cathedral, more than 200 supporters holding wind-whipped American flags had surrounded the historic church.

Arellano was killed by an improvised explosive device Aug. 17 while on foot patrol south of Baghdad. He left behind a large family, including parents James Arellano of Portola, Calif., Diana Arellano of Thornton, Colo., and a wife of just five months, Jaime Arellano of Cheyenne.

Before the funeral, Arellano's aunt and uncle, Rita and Scott Sheppard, made their way around the church, shaking hands with each flag bearer and expressing their appreciation.

“It's a wonderful thing to see so many people waving the American flag,” Scott Sheppard said.

Rev. Gary Ruzicka delivered the eulogy, in which he said Arellano had a great zeal for life and will be missed.

He also addressed the difficult emotions that can accompany the loss of a young person: “We think to ourselves, 'It shouldn't be this way' ... but God's timing sometimes isn't our timing.”

Soldiers presented Arellano's widow and parents with a folded American flag and three posthumous military awards: a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and a Combat Infantry Badge.

Read the rest at the Casper Star Tribune

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