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Last updated on Saturday, June 2, 2012
(BRAZIL) - Brazil community members showed support for their hometown hero Friday.
Brittany Earl, of WTHI reports, emotions ran high as several community members waited for their hometown hero to return.
Phyllis James, a Brazil native says, "It's important to pay our respect to a military man who gave his life for his country so we could be free, to do what we do."
Downtown Brazil was lined with those who came to honor Specialist Arronn Fields.
Flags were flown and posters of Specialist Fields were passed out to show support.
Bob Knierim, a Brazil Native says, "You should show your support to a lost hero, he gave his life for us. It's the least we could do."
One family in particular was touched by the support from the community. It was a reminder of what was done two years ago for Brazil fallen soldier Gregory Stultz.
Zachary Stultz, the brother of Gregory Stultz says, "You get that bad feeling that it will all come back but then you also have that feeling of support that you see everyone coming out today and that people still remember. People are still backing our troops regardless of who it is and we're still fighting a good cause and we're all in this together."
As Specialist Fields returned home, silence fell over the crowd. Fields received an honorary escort.
As Fields turned the corner onto Washington Street located in downtown Brazil the crowd clapped for the young man who gave his all.
First Sergeant Jerry Snyder says "It always hits home for us. I think really, it especially hits home for us because so many of us have been deployed and we realize that could be us or could be someone that was deployed with us."
"The people over there are risking their lives and ultimately giving the ultimate sacrifice giving their lives for us," said Stultz.
In return the Brazil community opened their hearts and promised to never to forget their hometown hero.
Stultz says, "We are still fighting everyday and there's still people supporting and the true colors truly show when your back is against the wall and America has not and Brazil definitely has not forgotten."
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