Rochester, N.Y.- Staff Sergeant Javier Ortiz-Rivera called his boys his little Marines. He loved playing with them and teaching them how to salute and stand tall.
The youngsters used those lessons to bid their father farewell. Wearing tiny Marine uniforms made especially for them, they saluted their father as he was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
Seventy family members and friends attended the service to honor Sergeant Ortiz-Rivera. It was his wish to be buried there.
Family members say Javier sensed he was in danger weeks before he was killed in Afghanistan.
In a letter dated the week before he was killed, Javier's brother Orlando says, Javier told his wife Veronica, he was exhausted and was tired of being shot at. Ortiz says he thinks his brother sensed he was in danger. At one point, Javier told his wife, "time seems to be slipping away."
Veronica Ortiz-Rivera received that letter yesterday.
Orlando Ortiz says his brother never questioned his service to his country and loved what he did.
Though his family is devastated, Orlando says they are very proud of Javier and know his children will be so proud, once they understand who their father was and that he died fighting for his country.
