The body of Lance Corporal Derek Hernandez arrived in the Valley on Sunday afternoon.
It was the moment, his family had been waiting for anxiously, at last Hernandez was home.
"Were just happy that he's back home where he belongs," his cousin Fabien Pedroza told Action 4 News.
Hernandez was killed last Saturday while on duty in Afghanistan.
His body was flown back to the Dover, Delaware on Tuesday.
His body was taken to the Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.
It will remain there for the next few days for a number of services open to the public
Even though the news of his death was a heavy blow to the entire family, Pedraza said they are doing ok.
"They're in great spirits because he's home,” he added. “They're very positive. We've gotten a lot of support from everybody."
The community will able to show that support over the next two days during several events in the Valley:
Visitation
Monday, June 14
Memorial Funeral Home
208 East Canton, Edinburg
11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
(Rosary scheduled for 7 p.m.)
Funeral Mass
Tuesday, June 15
Holy Family Catholic Church
1302 East Champion St, Edinburg
10 a.m.
Burial Service to follow at Palm Valley Cemetery in Pharr
Community Reception
Edinburg Municipal Auditorium
Immediately following burial
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT