He was a 20-year-old with a dream, a dream of joining the Army and rising in the ranks.
Unfortunately, those dreams were cut short for U.S. Army Pfc. Diego Montoya.
He was killed while serving his first tour in Afghanistan.
Today, family and friends gathered at McCreery Aviation to welcome home the fallen soldier.
"They're fallen soldiers and they're out there for us—so we can live the way we know here in the United States," said Rebecca Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, who is related to Montoya, brought her two daughters to witness the sacrifice he made for their freedom.
"They're very conscience of what is going on," said Rodriguez.
Dressed in red, white, and blue the girls told us why they were at McCreery, waiting for the arrival of this fallen soldier.
Do you know why you're out here today?
"Yes," said Jacqueline Rodriguez.
Can you tell me why?
"Because when my cousin was in the army he was killed," said Rodriguez.
"He died for us protecting our country," said Jasmine Rodriguez.
Are you thankful for that?
"Yes."
What about you are you thankful?
"Yes."
One family that knows all too well about the loss of a loved one, to war, is the family of Derek Hernandez.
"We don't know the family but we love you guys and God bless you and stay strong," said Riley Hernandez.
As the family of Diego Montoya gets ready to lay him to rest, they hold onto one another and the belief that their soldier is smiling down on them.
Funeral Services:
There will be a public viewing for the fallen soldier tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m at the Rick Brown Funeral Home in Mission.
Funeral services will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday---followed by a burial at Rio Grande Valley Veteran Cemetery.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT