Fallen soldier laid to rest

Niantic, Conn. (WTNH) - Family and friends gathered to say goodbye to a Connecticut soldier killed in Afghanistan.

28-year old Army Sergeant Ari Cullers was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade late last month.

State police and the patriot guard escorted the remains of Ari Cullers who was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant.

The Waterford High School graduate, the third to die in combat, was killed October 30th when enemy forces attacked his unit with a rocket propelled grenade in Afghanistan. He leaves behind his parents, a younger brother Jacob who served in the Air Force, and countless family and friends who have come to honor and remember him.

Lance Bernacki, Culler's cousin, said, "He's the type of person who is the life of the party. He could make anybody smile. He could make anybody laugh that's what he was about."

Bernacki said Ari wanted to be a soldier ever since he was a young boy. A lifelong dream realized, as well as the sacrifice which went with it. A significance not lost on students who stood outside Waterford High as the procession passed by.

Heather Martin, another cousin, said, "The family's doing well and wants to thank everyone for coming out, it was a wonderful tribute."

Cullers will be laid to rest during a private burial Monday alongside his grandmother, with whom he was very close.

"We're happy that, that's what my aunt had wanted and it's perfect, it's perfect," said Martin.

During the memorial service the Staff Sergeant was posthumously awarded the bronze medal, the purple heart, and the army commendation medal, his second. He earned his first one during this first tour of duty.