KOKOMO -
Two Hoosier heroes are being remembered Saturday in north Central Indiana. Kyle Osborn and Brad Atwell were killed in separate attacks in Afghanistan earlier this month.
Saturday their hometowns honored both men.
Saturday morning in Kokomo Marine Sergeant Brad Atwell was described as a man full of energy and love for his country.
Sgt Atwell had the full military honors due a hero with a church full of friends and family. Full hearts and eyes filled with tears of those who never knew him.
"But you know it really touches me. Never knew it would hit home," said Pam Lawless who held an American flag across from where the funeral was being held.
Lana Easterday did the same, "Be supportive of him. I start crying."
Tears too in the church. The 27-year-old Taylor High School graduate was killed in a September 14th attack on his base in Afghanistan.
His body was escorted home from Grissom Air Reserve base Friday.
Sgt. Atwell was praised for heroism by fellow Marines Saturday and by his stepmother who said he chose to engage the enemy to protect his comrades and equipment.
Indiana's Patriot Guard brought many flags. Folks across from the church brought a few but brought much more.
"I've had family in the military it just touches my heart," says Lawless.
"My heart goes out to the family for all be did for his country," says neighbor Judy Sawyer.
During the service friends said Sgt. Atwell pledged after the 911 attacks to join the Marines and he did right after graduation.
His wife Danielle called him her "shining star."
Stars and stripes saw him to his resting place along with his fathers words, "God bless you Brad Atwell."
From neighbors who never knew him, "He honored, the honor of his serving his country. It really touches me."
The Atwell family asked Hoosiers to honor his memory with donations to the Wounded Warrior Project.
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