^UFort Lewis soldier killed in Afghanistan buried at Arlington

Dozens of family members and friends gathered at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday to say goodbye to Spec. Gary L. Gooch Jr.

The Army offered an opportunity "to advance," his cousin Courtney Crowley, 24, told the Orlando Sentinel. "He liked structure, and it gave him a place to be so he could take care of his mom when he was older. He just wanted to get ahead in life."

Gooch, 22, graduated from Dunnellon High School, near Ocala, Fla., in 2006 and enlisted shortly afterward, the paper said.

Gooch and Spec. Aaron S. Aamot, 22, died Nov. 5 in Jelewar, Afghanistan, when their vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. Both were based at Fort Lewis, Wash., and served with the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

A caisson pulled by white horses carried Gooch's flag-draped platinum coffin to the cemetery's Section 60, where most veterans of the war are buried.

The sun, hidden for most of the service behind clouds, cast a shadow over those gathered on the muddy grass. Soldiers fired three rifle volleys, and the U.S. Army Band played patriotic songs.

"I'm proud of him," the soldier's father, Gary L. Gooch Sr., told the Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal. "I know it is ugly over there, but we have to serve our country."

Gooch received a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, an Army Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal and several other military awards. In addition to his father, he is survived by his mother, Jeanine M. Murphy, and sister, Keely Murphy. All three received folded flags and condolences from Lt. Gen. David. H. Huntoon Jr.

Moments before the service ended, a white and red floral arrangement was placed on Gooch's coffin, and family members bid farewell.

"He is one of those truly amazing persons that you just feel blessed that they touched your life," Crowley told the Sentinel. "He was quick to smile and slow to anger. He was always willing to do anything you asked of him and never failed to make time for his family."

Staff researcher Magda Jean-Louis contributed to this report.