Earlier this week I mentioned the brother of a friend who died in Afghanistan this past weekend. How wonderful is it to see a family embraced and supported like Capt. Bruno di Solenni’s hometown is for those Bruno’s had to leave behind.

There’s also this — a reminder how important faith, family, and community are —

Ricardo said the pain of losing his brother hurt the most during Sunday Mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. “We went to church and all the people there were so supportive, I just wanted to cry — and I did,” he said. As tears welled up again, he grabbed a nail bag and walked toward the shed. Hogan said Bruno was devoutly Catholic, even finding time to attend Mass while in Afghanistan. “Anytime there was a service, Bruno would be in it,” he said. Bruno’s sister, Pia Conway, also spoke about her brother’s Catholic faith, as well as her own. “The irony is that we were praying for his safety — but he went home safely to God,” she said. Bruno’s girlfriend, Farrah Bates, who drove from Seattle as soon as she heard the news, said they were planning to get married this summer. The last time they talked was Friday at around lunchtime, said Bates. “He just called to tell me he was going on his mission and that he loved me,” she said. “He called me again, right before 4:30, to tell me he loved me again, but I couldn’t get to the phone.” He left a message. “I feel like now I’ve just stopped,” Bates said. Bruno’s sister had one more thing to say Monday afternoon before heading back to her mother’s home to meet with the rest of the family and a casualty assistance officer. “Bruno really believed in what he was doing,” Conway said. “He died a hero’s death.”

More here and here – including a link to a letter from Capt. de Solenni you must read if you haven’t.