Fallen Fort Carson soldier’s funeral held in his Ohio hometown

Family and friends remembered a Fort Carson soldier during his funeral Friday in his hometown of Lancaster, Ohio.

Specialist Joseph J. Collette was known by those close to him as Joey. On Wednesday, they and complete strangers remembered him as a man who risked his life on the front line.

Although it may be a cliche, the saying “freedom is not free” rang true as Colette’s wife and four kids said their last goodbye.

Collette received military honors during his funeral. He was killed in action on March 22.

His body was returned to his hometown of Lancaster Tuesday; soldiers carried his flag-covered casket and later followed behind in a procession.

The community showed up then and the day of his funeral was no different.

People once again lined the streets to support Collette’s family as they made their way towards the funeral.

With hundreds of flags placed around the cemetery, an even larger one hung between two fire trucks right in the heart of Collette’s small town.

His wife, Caela, previously shared more on their love story.

“From the first second I saw him, it was love at first sight,” she said.

They had just gotten married weeks before Collette’s deployment and expected to have a ceremony once he returned.

But instead of planning their wedding, she attended his funeral knowing he died protecting our country.

During Collette’s service, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called Collette a hero who not only protected the nation but also his loved ones.