Remembering Spc. Orgaard | Video

Retha Colclasure | 12/13/2012

This has been a hard week for the North Dakota National Guard. Two soldiers, members of the 818th Engineer Company, were killed by a roadside bomb on December 3 while serving in Afghanistan. Sergeant First Class Darren Linde was laid to rest on Tuesday. Today, the state said goodbye to Specialist Tyler Orgaard, just 20 years old.

On a cold December day, under a blue, cloudy sky, the Patriot Guard stood watch as friends and family members came to say their final goodbyes to Specialist Tyler Orgaard.

"Tyler is an American hero," said Senator John Hoeven.

More than 850 people came to say goodbye to Specialist Orgaard. Friends, family members and fellow soldiers said prayers, read scripture and cried, and listened as Tyler`s father Jesse sang a song in honor of his son.

"This was an amazing funeral and ceremony for one of our great National Guard soldiers and he`ll live in our hearts forever," Hoeven said.

Major General David Sprynczynatyk and Governor Jack Dalrymple talked about Orgaard`s service to his country, and said the state lost one of its finest sons.

"When we lose a young man like Tyler Orgaard we are all a little less for it, and there`s just no way to put it into words. He`s an American patriot and hero, and we`ll honor and cherish his memory forever," Hoeven said.

State leaders say they are moved and humbled by Orgaard`s dedication, and willingness to lay his life on the line for our country.

Specialist Orgaard graduated from Century High School in 2011. His family says he loved music and mixed martial arts.

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