Luis Gutierrez-Rosales laid to rest

He was a platoon leader who always looked out for the safety of his men. Sgt. First Class Luis Rosales gave his life for freedom on July 18 in Iraq.

Those who remembered him paid their respects at Mass in Lamont, followed by his burial in Bakersfield.

Hundreds attended Hillcrest Memorial Park where he was earlier laid to rest.

He and three other soldiers were attacked with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire.

Family and friends wept for the man who many remember as being fully dedicated to family, friends and his country.

Those who knew him said he would always see through the difficulties in life.

"He was a nice guy who would do anything for anybody," said goddaughter Heather Norris-Jones.

Staff Sgt. Jackie Hanson served with Rosales in Iraq.

"It’s very crushing,” Norris-Jones said. “Very depressing, very crushing."

Throughout his youth, family members said Rosales dreamed of serving as a soldier.

This time, he made the final sacrifice as an Army ranger.

Vietnam veteran Ismael Gonzalez said Rosales heard the calling of a patriot.

"He’ll go out being a hero, not that he wanted to be a hero, but he is a hero by the way he served his country and lost his life," Gonzalez.

United Farmworker organizer Dolores Huerta also attended the funeral mass to honor the sacrifice many Latinos have made in the name of freedom.

"I hope that the rest of our community will look to them and understand that when they attack our community, that there is also an attack on them who are giving the ultimate sacrifice," Huerta.

Rosales leaves behind an 8-year-old daughter and a fiancé.

From KGET 17

Related Link:
Luis E. Gutierrez-Rosales dies 'of wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked by enemy forces using an IED and small arms fire'