GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio -
An entire community gathers to honor the life and sacrifice of a Northeast Ohio soldier killed in Iraq.
Family, friends, even total strangers pack St. Monica Church in Garfield Heights to say thank you and goodbye to Army Corporal Brad Davis, 21.
"It is an honor to stand here and say that Brad is my brother and it is a privilege to be able to honor a hero," said his sister, Jennifer Gardner, when she spoke to the crowd that gathered.
Corporal Davis was killed by a roadside bomb last week while serving in Iraq.
"We want to show our support for the Davis family," said Garfield Heights resident Dolores Johnson.
\Many people who showed up to honor Brad had the same question...why did he die so soon?
"Why did he live? why was he on the face of this earth, and you know our Lord said it so well, no one has greater love than this, to give one's life for one's friends, and that's what he lived for," responded the priest who delivered the homily.
"We always hang out together, go to the beach, play volleyball and everything...I'm glad that there was such a great turnout for his funeral and everything, I'm just shocked, you know, that he's gone," said longtime friend Nick Kowalski.
"He knew the hazards of his chosen profession, but he willingly chose to serve his country in a time of war," said one of the Army officers who attended the funeral from Fort Bragg, N.C.
Brad's sister told the crowd she'll never forget her brother's laughter and smile...she called him the family's guardian angel.
"Brad served his country and gave the ultimate sacrifice without a question, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a nephew, a friend, a soldier and a hero, and for these he will never be forgotten...I love you Brad," she said.
Brad Davis was buried in the All Saints Cemetery in Sagamore Hills.
Family, friends, even total strangers pack St. Monica Church in Garfield Heights to say thank you and goodbye to Army Corporal Brad Davis, 21.
"It is an honor to stand here and say that Brad is my brother and it is a privilege to be able to honor a hero," said his sister, Jennifer Gardner, when she spoke to the crowd that gathered.
Corporal Davis was killed by a roadside bomb last week while serving in Iraq.
"We want to show our support for the Davis family," said Garfield Heights resident Dolores Johnson.
\Many people who showed up to honor Brad had the same question...why did he die so soon?
"Why did he live? why was he on the face of this earth, and you know our Lord said it so well, no one has greater love than this, to give one's life for one's friends, and that's what he lived for," responded the priest who delivered the homily.
"We always hang out together, go to the beach, play volleyball and everything...I'm glad that there was such a great turnout for his funeral and everything, I'm just shocked, you know, that he's gone," said longtime friend Nick Kowalski.
"He knew the hazards of his chosen profession, but he willingly chose to serve his country in a time of war," said one of the Army officers who attended the funeral from Fort Bragg, N.C.
Brad's sister told the crowd she'll never forget her brother's laughter and smile...she called him the family's guardian angel.
"Brad served his country and gave the ultimate sacrifice without a question, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a nephew, a friend, a soldier and a hero, and for these he will never be forgotten...I love you Brad," she said.
Brad Davis was buried in the All Saints Cemetery in Sagamore Hills.
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