Cpl. Nicholas K. Uzenski

Cpl. Nicholas K. Uzenski, 21, of Tomball, Texas. died Jan. 11 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan: Ingham was assigned to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

BOZEMAN - Family and friends of a 21-year-old Bozeman Marine who was killed in Afghanistan gathered at his funeral Friday and spoke of his faith, his competitive nature and his smile. The Department of Defense said Marine Cpl. Nicholas K. Uzenski died Jan. 11 during combat in the Helmand province of southern Afghanistan. His body was returned to Montana on Thursday. "Compared to his smile alone, I have accomplished nothing," said Uzenski's father, William. The Marine's sister, Kaitlin, read his obituary aloud to the standing-room-only crowd at the funeral home in Bozeman, and photos of Uzenski as a little boy flashed above the casket one by one. Bozeman Mayor Jeff Krauss described the Marines as the "tip of the spear." "We know that pride in the accomplishment will never replace the man we lost, but the pride of the city and state is all we can offer," he said. Hundreds of people holding American flags lined the streets between the funeral home and the cemetery, where the military offered a 21-volley salute and played taps near Uzenski's grave. Uzenski was assigned to the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.