Fallen Soldier Memorialized

U.S. Army Spc. , 21, filled his short life with family, friends, humor and love.

Lay, who was killed in combat in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan was memorialized and buried today. Army Brigadier General Bob Nash joined his family and friends in a memorial service at to present Lay's parents with the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart he earned in combat, the last of more than a dozen medals awarded to the infantryman in his two-year Army career. Other awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and a Commendation for Superior Performance in Rifle Marksmanship.

But the General wasn't there just to award the medals. He was also there to share with more than 700 funeral attendees the memories and condolences of Lay's fellow soldiers in Afghanistan.

"A soldier is someone who raises his hand and writes a blank check," Nash told the crowd. Lay paid the ultimate price.

His fellow soldiers, who are still fighting in Afghanistan, shared their thoughts with the General. They remembered Lay as someone who could be counted on no matter what. Someone who could raise everyone's spirits even though they were in a war zone.

"I remember him as a solider. I can't remember anything holding him down."

"We were hit by an IED our first time out. He was injured and taken to the hospital. That night we got a call, he said 'come pick me up I am ready to go.' "

His staff sergeant said they called Lay the "Golden Child" because he was so well liked. "He was a friend to everyone."

After he was injured in the spring, one fellow soldier said, "he worked to get back to work as soon as possible because he knew he was needed. He didn't make any excuses."

"He was like a brother to me," another said.

"He loved his fiance and his family," another soldier wrote in letting them know, "you are not alone."

U.S. Army Cpt. Jerry Taylor wrote, "Most Soldiers join the military and do not expect to serve in combat. However, Patrick knew what he was signing up for and did not let the realities of war stop him from enlisting. Patrick was a warrior who was excelling in the Army and would have made a great non-commissioned Officer or Commissioned Officer. His character reflects all of the Army values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage."

After describing the sacrifices Lay and other soldiers make, "They revere Freedom, but give up their own, they defend the rights of individuals but give up their own individualism and they defend life but give up their own," Rev. James K. McDaniel said that the 21-year-old is now "a General in God's Army."

As the Pentecostal choir sang "Mighty to Save" Lay's mother rose to her feet, still clinging the medal the General just handed her and raised her arms to the heavens.

Lay's fiance, Joann Steiff, 21, wrote her farewell which was read aloud at the service: "We were together for over five years, you were my best friend, my fiance and hero.

"I miss you my big goofball, you were everything to me and you always will be."

The community outpouring on the Facebook page created in memory of Patrick Lay has been overwhelming. In just a week, more than a thousand people have posted to his page offering condolences, thanking him for his service and sharing memories of his kindness, consideration, fun-loving nature and commitment to his family, friends and God.

"He marched into training with not one, but two Bibles," The Rev. Sidney L. Poe said Sunday, adding that he told his mother that "Jesus is coming soon. I want to come home first."

In his eulogy, Lay's uncle, Dale Eason, said his own son had asked about Lay's death and, why, if Jesus could rise again, couldn't Lay?

Eason didn't have an answer for his seven-year-old son but assured the crowd, "If Patrick could rise again, he would be on the next plane to Afghanistan and he would lay it down again for you."

Hundreds joined the funeral procession as people lined the streets to honor Lay, waving flags, saluting and covering their hearts in honor of the soldier's sacrifice. The graveside service at the national cemetery in Sarasota was a presented by the Army with full honors for the fallen soldier.