The family of Staff Sgt. Edwin Rivera slowly and solemnly made their way into Nett Hall at Camp Rell in Niantic, leaning on one another as they came to goodbye to the fallen Army National Guardsman Friday evening.
"Right now, as you can imagine the family is taking things one day at a time. This is a very tough time for them and the National Guard is helping them through this process every step of the way," Connecticut National Guard Maj. Charlie Jaworski said.
Staff Sgt. Rivera died from injuries he received during his second deployment to Afghanistan. He leaves behind a wife and two children and a community, who lined up at Camp Rell to pay their respects to a man who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
"I’ve been in there already, there are some heavy emotions right now, but that’s as can be expected. We’re really just relying on one to get through this, as strong as possible," Maj. Jaworski said.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Camp Rell. Staff Sgt. Rivera will be buried at Jordan Cemetery in Waterford. His family will be presented with Rivera's Bronze Star medal, Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman's Badge.
