Northboro Paratrooper Killed In Afghanistan Laid To Rest
NORTHBORO (CBS/AP) — Dozens of Northboro residents lined the streets Tuesday to honor a paratrooper from town killed in Afghanistan, while friends and family attended a service honoring his life.
The funeral Mass for Spc. Brian Arsenault was held at St. Rose of Lima Church and burial was at Howard Street Cemetery with full military honors.
Some residents showed their support by lining the funeral procession route from the church to the cemetery with flags.
Among them was Northboro resident Debbie Truax, who said many were surprised by Arsenault's death in Afghanistan.
"I think it caught a lot of people off guard. Northboro is a little teeny tiny town away from all of it and sometimes you forget it's even going on because we just live our lives," Truax told WBZ-TV's Paul Burton.
"Today everyone is taking a moment to pay their respects, because he deserves it."
Arsenault, 28, died earlier this month from injuries he suffered during a firefight between his unit and enemy forces.
He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
He was a 2004 graduate of Algonquin Regional High School.
"Young guy gave his life. I'm a Shrewsbury resident. So he's a neighbor, and I'm just here for support. I appreciate all he did for us," said Ed Muntz, who was among the people who lined the street for the procession.
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
MORE LOCAL NEWS FROM CBS BOSTON
