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COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS -- Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon for a young Utah soldier who was killed in Afghanistan last week.
More than 100 people from across the state and the country came to pay their respects to Sgt. Aaron Kramer, 22, of Cottonwood Heights. Kramer was shot and killed while chasing Taliban soldiers who attacked a base he was guarding Sept. 16.
Now, he's being remembered as a hero -- a selfless patriot who was proud to fight for his country.
His body returned home to Utah Thursday. Saturday, friends, family and fellow soldiers said their final goodbyes.
Those in attendance remembered Kramer as a loyal and dedicated man who came from a strong family. Though he loved to have fun, he was serious when it came to important matters. Loved ones said people around him couldn't help but follow his lead.
The funeral served as proof of how many lives he touched.
"He has comrades from his military service traveling on their own dime hundreds and hundreds of miles to be here to honor him," said Richard Willes, Kramer's LDS bishop. "He's that kind of a soldier."
He is dedicated. He is a leader. He's courageous. Part of the tragedy is the fact that without hesitation, he led out his company to pursue the mission.
–Richard Willes
Kramer was also a loving husband to his wife, Jackie, whom he married just a few months ago before leaving for Afghanistan. She and Kramer's mother received American flags during the service.
One of the most touching moments of the funeral came when Brandon Kramer, Aaron's twin brother, spoke about how much he was going to miss him. They did everything together -- from collecting bugs and playing with Legos to eventually joining the Army.
Brandon Kramer said he wished everyone knew his brother the way he did. "Not everyone is born with their best friend," he said.
Earlier this week, Kramer's father Rick spoke about how dedicated Aaron was to the military.
"He wanted to be nothing but the best -- ‘I want to go through airborne school, I want to go to Ranger school,' and he talked about going into special forces," he said.
Rick Kramer said the family finds peace in knowing Aaron died while living out his dream. Those who knew him best praised his courage and strength.
"He is dedicated. He is a leader. He's courageous," said Willes. "Part of the tragedy is the fact that without hesitation, he led out his company to pursue the mission."
Though that mission would be his last, it will never be forgotten.
"I just don't want people to forget about the ones that are over there, and the ones that have fallen, and how important it is to remember them," Rick Kramer said.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert attended the funeral. He said he hopes residents will always keep the armed forces in their thoughts and prayers.
"Being governor has tough aspects of it, but the hardest is going to the funerals of our young men and women who give the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country," he said.
Kramer was a member of the Army's 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell, Ky. He leaves behind a wife, parents, a brother and sister.
E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com
