3 years ago
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In a packed gymnasium at Oden High School, more than 800 people gathered to pay their final respects to Staff Sgt. Justin Estes.
A family friend who spoke at the funeral says, "In January 2001, Justin joined the Army and served in South Korea, Germany, Macedonia, and Iraq."
An IED exploded near his unit in Iraq on March 5 and killed him. He had two weeks left before he was scheduled to come home. Justin was 25.
"Justin had a heart. He had a heart full of love for his friends," says the family friend.
Before joining the Army, he played high school basketball in the high school gym. It's a sport he loved and he was good at it. His sister, Kelli, says that's one reason the family wanted the service to be in the gym.
"We're very, very proud of him he's gone and we just have to honor his memory," says Kelli Estes.
During the funeral, his friends described Justin as a man who made every second count, invested his time well and cared more about others than himself.
"He was my hero and always will be. He died trying to save the life of another soldier; there's no greater honor." says Kelli.
Afterwards, people flowed from the stands to surround his family with love. Some even take a moment to say goodbye to Justin. Soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division then carried out the soldier's casket. The flag of freedom draped over it, a reminder that Justin died doing what he loved, and in the hearts of many, he'll always be an American hero. Estes received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge. He was buried in his hometown of Sims with full military honors.
