Sgt. Jerome C. Bell Jr.

Sgt. Jerome C. Bell Jr., 29, of Auburn, N.Y., died Sept. 19 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Hundreds of mourners and well-wishers filled a downtown Auburn cathedral this morning to remember U.S. Marine Sgt. Jerome C. Bell Jr., a Throop native who was killed Sept. 19 while on patrol in Afghanistan. "He was my hero long before this -- long, long before this," said lifelong friend, Donald Wilson, struggling through an emotional eulogy. "I will miss him forever." Often during the 90-minute ceremony, Bell's family and friends clutched each other for support, wiping away tears. Outside St. Mary's Church, about 50 members of the Patriot Guard, a civilian group of motorcyclists that mobilizes from across the region to attend military services, stood stoically in the rain, holding flags in tribute. After the service, a long procession of cars transported "Jerry" Bell's casket for burial in St. Joseph Cemetery in the town of Fleming. It passed streets festooned with American flags and clusters of people, standing to watch. "He lived a brief life, but a meaningful life," the Rev. Frank Lioi told the gathering. "He paid the ultimate sacrifice." Wilson rushed home from Alaska, where he lives, after hearing of his friend's death. He laughed and cried, telling stories about his friend: their makeshift music band, the crazy aftermath of their graduation party, and a pair that "could do the dumbest things and still have the most fun." Like others to speak -- family friend, Kelly Schulz, and Bell's sister, Stacy Zimmerman -- Wilson's voice constantly cracked, as he struggled to get the words out. He said he will never forget the support of his home town. "It makes me really proud to be from here," he said.