Rochester, N.Y. -- When Private First Class Theodore Matthew Glende returned home, he came home a hero.
"He gave the ultimate sacrifice, he's definitely a hero," Patriot Guard Rider Tim Yetter said.
Dozens turned out to remember Private First Class Theodore Glende Saturday afternoon.
Glende was being buried with full military honors, including a 21-gun salute.The Department of Defense says that 23- year-old Glende was killed in Afghanistan July 27, when enemy forces attacked his unit.
"Private First Class Glende lost his life trying to save the life of another soldier," said United States Army General Ted Martin. "He is a warrior. He will be missed. We will never forget him."
Glende's funeral drew the support from those who didn't know him.
"It's a feeling of pride, a feeling of sadness but at the same time thanking them and appreciating everything they've done for every one of us," said Will Palmer, who came to show his support.
Patriot Guard Rider, Tim Yetter has seen his share of those buried young.
He wears bracelets around his arm representing Lance Corporal Zach Smith, Sergeant Devin Snyder, and several other local soldiers who were recently killed while serving our country.
"These are three kids I have buried in the last year and I think that's why emotion is so high with me," a tearful Yetter said.
While Glende's time here was short, his memory will live on.
"When a soldier comes home and the family is here to share the memory, I think we should all be here to share the same memory and to say thank you," Palmer said.
Glende was a McQuaid High School Graduate and attended Niagara University.
He had also just recently been married.
