Fallen Soldier Laid To Rest

Monday, August 13th 2007, 9:25 am

By: News On 6

The family of a Broken Arrow soldier lays their son to rest. He was killed by a roadside bomb just over a week ago in Iraq. U.S. Army Private First Class Jaron Holliday was remembered as a happy person and a religious man, who brought the best out in everyone around him. News On 6 anchor Jennifer Loren reports it's a time of loss, a time of mourning and for many, a time of respect.

Patriot Guard Riders led the funeral procession. Strangers lined the streets, silently waving American flags. Their respect is for 21-year-old Private First Class Jaron Holliday and his family.

"It doesn't hurt me like it hurts them. But I can feel some of their pain. And I know that what they have gone through is incredibly difficult. And if we can do anything to say we appreciate that sacrifice, I wanted to do it,â€ said supporter Liz Garrison.

Holliday wanted to do something positive after the 9-11 terror attacks. When he was old enough, he signed up in the Army, and eventually was sent to Iraq.

At the gravesite were traditional military honors.

A mother grieves the loss of her oldest son, a son she loved and respected, a man so many loved and respected.

"He truly was a man and a Godly man more importantly. He loved his mother and his father and his family, and he made that be known all the time,â€ said family friend Kimberly McFall.

Remembered as a man whose faith came first, his family next, and a soldier who showed his fellow servicemen how to find the bright side of bad situations.

"If people were down, you know, he made them feel better. He brought them up. If he saw somebody just sitting there sad, he wanted them to feel good about themself and their situation,â€ said family friend Angelic Cummings.

Holliday was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa.

Watch the video: Funeral Services Held For Oklahoma Soldier Killed In Iraq

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8/6/2007 Tulsa Soldier Killed In Iraq

8/7/2007 Friends Remember Fallen Soldier

8/7/2007 - Family Reflects On Life Of Oklahoma Soldier Killed In Iraq