People of Beatrice lined the streets, they flooded the parking lot, and they flew their flags for their own war veteran, Army Specialist Darren Howe.

"He was my best friend," said Howe's brother, Brandon Howe.

Howe's brother, who is also a member of the military was in Kuwait when Howe died.

"We had plans when I got back, considering I'm not 21 yet, we were going to go to the bar when I got back," said Howe.

But it was Howe who did not make it back.

Howe is survived by his family including wife, Nakia, and their two children.
But the whole community of Beatrice came out to honor Howe's service.

"The people in this community, that was awesome, the way they lined the streets, we just thank them, it was great," said Blaize Pearson, Howe's brother-in-law.

Howe's brother says his attitude toward serving in the military has changed since his brother's death.

"I'm in the process of getting out, I can't let my family go through this again, I don't want them to end up getting more flags and medals," said Brandon Howe.

Howe's aunt says he did what many wouldn't want to do.

"He wanted to come back and be a daddy and a husband, he was scared to go over there, but that's why he's a hero because he did it anyway," said Sissy Zimmerman.