Lance Corporal DeShon Otey, a young Marine killed by enemy fire in Iraq, was laid to rest Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky. DeShon Otey knew he had accepted a dangerous assignment. His family felt both sadness and pride because Otay died a hero. It was full military honors to mourn 24-year-old DeShon Otay. "We were like brothers," said Lance Corporal Ian McCall, one of DeShon's best friends. DeShon's mother, Robin Mays says, "I'm sad, but I feel good because I know my son's a hero."

Hoping to one day join the F.B.I., DeShon became a Marine sniper, a dangerous job in Iraq. Two days before he died, DeShon had a premonition, but the following Monday he is believed to be one of four Marines ambushed. At his funeral in Elizabethtown, friends, political leaders, and family members gave an emotional goodbye. Then at Cave Hill Cemetery, the end to two weeks of mourning, an American flag, folded, for a young American's life was given to his family.

He died far away, but will be remembered so close to so many people's hearts. At the funeral, Otey's family handed out a poem. "Don't spend too much time in mourning," they wrote. "Tears are for the sad. I left to be with Jesus and this should make you glad." Otey was the 13th Kentucky soldier to die in Iraq. His brother is also a Marine and was scheduled to deploy to the Middle East, but has now decided to stay in America.

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