19-year-old marine Nathaniel Schultz laid to rest

RIVERVIEW, Fla. - His casket, draped with our flag, was placed in front of his family, including his heartbroken mother and 3 sisters.

"It was my little brother but I looked up to him," one of his sisters said, "He was my hero. He was my marine."

Lance Corporal Nathaniel Schultz was only 19 years old when he was killed during combat in Afghanistan. But he knew, this was his mission, to serve. He even shared why in a handwritten note read by Pastor George Thomasson of Bells Shoals Baptist Church

"I decided if I go to war I might as well be the best and most well trained to fight for righteous individual freedom."

But his fight for enduring freedom, was short lived. He saw combat for only one week before he was killed. But, this assignment was something he was preparing for-even as teenager.

"He served his country honorably of course and he served the Florida youth ranch honorably." said Pinellas County Sheriff Jim Coates. He remembered Nathaniel as a 17 year old who was proud to be a part of a teen crime fighting program.

"And we are just proud and grateful to have the opportunity to know him."

Another sister, Deanna Maguire, told the large crowd, the community's outpouring is helping to heal her family. It began when her little brother's body first arrived at MacDill Airforce base Friday.

"I was in awe of the amount of patriotism that this community has shown." Maguire told mourners, "I kept on thinking Nate this is all for you."

And now to this church, where so many who knew him and some who didn't, gathered to pay their respects.

Schultz, was recently promoted, he now is the recipient of numerous medals-and will always be the pride of not only his family-but community