Family, friends and strangers honor fallen soldier in Richmond

RICHMOND, Ky. (WTVQ) – Mourners gathered in Richmond to pay respects to a 22-year-old soldier, killed in Iraq.

Soldiers marched and the bag pipes played as Spc. Ryan Riley was carried to his final resting spot.

“He was a hard worker, he was very talented in many different areas. He was special to everybody who ever met him,” said Shane Riley, Ryan’s brother.

Across town, small flags lined the route from the church to the cemetery, and not just family and friends attended the service, groups like the Patriot Guard Riders and Rolling Thunder made the trip to support the family.

“It’s tough to deal with when you got a young man this young who loses his life,” said David Arnold with the Patriot Guard Riders.

The parents were presented with a folded American flag during an honorary rifle salute.