A final salute to a Montana soldier killed in Afghanistan took place on Thursday.
Friends, family, and fellow servicemen and women filled the sanctuary at Saint Bernard's Church in Billings to say good-bye to 22-year-old Sergeant Terry Jay Lynch, of Shepherd for the last time.
The young soldier was killed while serving his country in Afghanistan when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle less than two weeks ago.
"He wanted to give something back to his country, he surely did. Maybe not exactly in the way he had hoped," said Reverend David Reichling.
"He served two tours in Afghanistan, ending Monday, June 29th. On Tuesday, June 30th 19 of his former classmates and teammates gathered together," explained longtime family friend, Mark Johnson. "They had photo albums, scrapbooks, yearbooks, stacks of pictures, and stories to share. As the stories were told and good times remembered, I heard one of them say, 'You know, I think everybody liked Terry.'"
Lynch enlisted in the Army shortly after he graduated from Shepherd High School in 2005.
"He was dedicated to being a soldier and he never doubted his decision to serve his country," stated Johnson. "And I am proud to say he was a friend of mine."
The Commander of the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum in New York Major General Mike Oates was at the service Thursday morning and had only words of praise for the fallen soldier.
"People loved serving around him, he was a great soldier, he was well-respected by the people in his outfit, and on the day that he was taken from us he was doing his duty," said Oates.
Sergeant Lynch was a member of the 3rd Squadron, 71st Calvary, 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Drum in New York with the elite infantry, 10th Mountain Division where he earned many decorations and awards.
He earned two more at his funeral, the Bronze Star Medal for outstanding military service in combat, and the Purple Heart for his wounds by an enemy while defending his country. The two awards were presented to Lynch's father, Charlie.
"I am extremely proud of your son Charlie and all that he did for us and for our country," expressed Oates. "I am humbled by his service."
While the military honors his service and dedication, family and friends remember his energy and charisma.
"I've got memories, I've got football stories, track, hunting, trap shooting, garage stories. I heard the stories about the motorcycle in the house, the pinto in the pasture and I'm not talking about a horse," Johnson said as he got laughter from the audience. "But I encourage you all to share your stories and your memories and enjoy them. Because I believe as long as we have those stories in our hearts, we'll have Terry."
Following the funeral supporters lined the street along Wicks Lane in Billings holding flags as the procession drove by.
Lynch was buried at the Shepherd cemetery next to his mother and brother will full military honors. He leaves behind his father, Charlie and sister, Kristin.
Lynch is one of four Montanans killed in action in Afghanistan. Lt. Josh Hyland of Missoula was the first to be killed, back in 2005. Meanwhile, Wyoming has lost three troops to Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Iraq War has claimed the lives of 28 Montanans and 13 from Wyoming. Army First Lieutenant Edward Saltz of Bigfork, 27, was the first Montanan to be killed when he died on December 22, 2003. Most of Montana's casualties happened in 2005.
