It wasn't a good day for a funeral.

Scattered clouds covered the clear blue blots of sky and the sun made vain attempts to peer through.

American flags flailed in the wind with hands large and small clasped to them, waiting.

Twenty-two year old SPC Ryan King's funeral couldn't have happened on a more beautiful day, but the beauty couldn't overcome the grief his family and friends felt as they mourned his sudden passing.

Outside Clark Funeral Home in Hiram, Paulding County Sheriff's Officers, Hiram Police Officers, Dallas Police Officers, Cobb County Police Officers and the Patriot Guard Riders waited patiently for the ceremony to end, so they could embark on the 36 mile procession to the burial site.

King's body had an escort of 40 family cars, four Paulding Officers, nine Cobb County Officers and over 75 Patriot Guard Riders to his final resting place. But thousands of community members from all walks, came out to pay their respects at different locations across the county along the procession path.

Two miles from the funeral home members of the community gathered alongside Hwy 278 and waited in the blustery wind for the procession to bring the fallen soldier by.

As the procession slowly drove by, flags were held high, salutes were made, hands were placed over hearts and a somber silence fell over the major highway.

It was not a day for a funeral, but a beautiful day to remember a soldier who gave his life serving his country. The numbers of attendees were not a testament to how he died, but how he had lived.