Oklahoma hero laid to rest

An Oklahoma soldier has been laid to rest. Staff Sgt Eric Petty was killed in Iraq one day before his 29th birthday. <br/><br/>He died protecting his unit and those who knew him say he'll never be

Tuesday, May 11th 2004, 10:04 am

By: News On 6

An Oklahoma soldier has been laid to rest. Staff Sgt Eric Petty was killed in Iraq one day before his 29th birthday.

He died protecting his unit and those who knew him say he'll never be forgotten. Sgt Petty was buried with full military honors Tuesday afternoon in his hometown of Fort Gibson.

News on 6 anchor Craig Day says there was a great deal of sadness in Fort Gibson as friends, family and others honored Staff Sgt Eric Petty who was killed in Iraq.

Petty was laid to rest Tuesday afternoon at the National Cemetery at Fort Gibson. Petty was remembered as a patriot, a hero and a man who loved his family and his country.

He was shot and killed on May 3rd in Iraq while his platoon was guarding a weapons cache. He died while making sure his men made it to safety.

Petty is survived by his wife, a 9 year old son and many more friends and family who will miss him greatly.