TWIN FALLS, Idaho -- Saturday night, family, friends and a community remembered Army Staff Sergeant Daniel Brown, a Jerome soldier killed by enemy explosives in Afghanistan two weeks ago.
Fallen Staff Sergeant Brown was brought home to his family yesterday. Saturday, more than 1,000 people gathered with them for his funeral service at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls.
Brown was killed 10 months into deployment.
What's remembered today is the 27-year-old's years of dedication to his family, community and country.
Brown joined the U.S. Army in 2003 because of the terrorist attacks on 9/11.
He served in Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan.
"He put his life on the line, not for glory or personal gain, but because he embraced the values of the Army," Brigadier General Jeffrey Bailey said.
He leaves behind countless friends and family, people who say he always smiled and let the people he cared about know it.
"I still have time to spend with my son and I hope that he will have time to spend with me, and I will try with all my heart to not let a day go by without telling him, 'I love you son'," said Jerry Brown, Daniel Brown's father.
For his service and following his ultimate sacrifice, the United States Army promoted Brown from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant.
Brown's family received his honors, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
A military hero to his country, Brown will also be known as a personal hero to his family, including his wife Jordan and the three-month-old twin daughters Brown was never able to meet.
"Jordan, Mattie and Marlee, Daniel was the happiest when he spoke about you," said Captain Thomas Peabody, who was Brown's company commander when he served at Fort Carson in Colorado. "He looked forward to the day when he could hold his baby girls and be united with his loving wife. The Army is a family, one of which you all will be members of forever. Thank you for sharing Dan with us. Rest in peace, Dan. Your mission is complete."
Following the funeral service, Brown was buried with full military honors at Sunset Memorial Park in Twin Falls.
