HOUSTON -- Friends and family of a fallen Houston soldier said an emotional final farewell Tuesday.

Video

Watch Moving Tribute To Fallen Hero

Pfc. Ray Joseph Hutchinson, 20, was killed Dec. 7 as the Humvee he drove rolled over a radio-detonated improvised explosive device in Mosul, Iraq, about 250 miles north of Baghdad. He was stationed with the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division.

His memorial service was held at Sagemont Church, 11323 Hughes, in southeast Houston. Nearly 700 people attended, including a congressman and a brigadier general.

"He witnessed the birth of freedom out of a prison of tyranny, and helped drive away some of the tyrants himself," said U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay of Sugar Land.

Approximately 250 cars took part in his funeral procession as it proceeded down Almeda Genoa to Forest Lawn Cemetery. The procession passed four schools, while children and adults stood outside, waving flags in honor of a fallen hero. Many stood in salute.

"It was meaningful to all of us -- to see them in clusters and to see them as individuals and to see how proud this town is of our hero," said Kathy Gabel, Hutchinson's friend.

"(We waved flags) for the person who died for our freedom," a child said.

"We saw little kids that could barely stand up, waving those flags. And we saw veterans that have long since retired honoring our son, but at the same time, honoring all of our military. They know what it takes to keep this country free," said Michael Hutchinson, Ray Joseph Hutchinson's father.

Hutchinson was buried with full military honors.

He was days away from being able to fly home to see his grandmother, who was brought to the Texas Medical Center in desperate need of open-heart surgery two weeks ago.

Hutchinson was a Clear Creek High School graduate who had served in Operation Iraqi Freedom since February.