SAN ANTONIO -- Two weeks after his death in Afghanistan, a local Marine was laid to rest Tuesday.
The community is rallying around Sergeant Cesar Bocanegra Ruiz's family. As family and friends gathered to remember Sergeant Ruiz, complete strangers came out to pay their respects to the fallen Marine.
"It hurts. It hurts a lot to see this," said Manuel Estrada, who attended to pay his respects. "But these young men and women are willing to sacrifice themselves and are willing to fight for our, our rights, our liberties."
Estrada didn't know Sergeant Ruiz, but felt it was important to honor him.
"This is the only way we can show our support for our troops and give some comfort to the families that have lost their family members and loved ones," Estrada explained.
Outside the services, a line of men and women stood with flags to honor the the Marine.
"It's just our privilege to respect this young man," said Kent Gerstner of the
Patriot Guard.
Ruiz, a 26-year-old graduate of Taft High School, left behind his wife and young son.
"It's not unusual to come across a young man who dies for us," Gerstner told News 4 WOAI. "We just think that he deserves the respect and honor that we can provide."
