Hundreds of Hoosiers gather to pay their respects to a fallen soldier

GARY, Ind. -- Hundreds of Hoosiers lined the streets on Monday to pay their respects to a fallen soldier!

The body of Sergeant Brian Leonhardt arrived in Gary on Monday afternoon.

The 21-year-old national guardsman died in Afghanistan earlier this month when his humvee struck a roadside bomb.

Three other members of the Valparaiso-based 713th Engineer Company were also killed.

Many people in the crowd today didn't even know Leonhardt. "I have a son the same age. It's real sad. I don't even know the guy, and I feel so sorry for the family. I even cried myself. Such a young man, and he already lost his life," said mourner Simon Abeyta.

Sergeant Leonhardt was from Merrillville.

He will be laid to rest on Wednesday.


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