Fallen Las Cruces soldier honored by his family at Fort Bliss ceremony

FORT BLISS, Texas -- Millions have sacrificed their lives fighting for our country, and Memorial Day is a day to honor those brave men and women.

On Monday, Fort Bliss National Cemetery held a Memorial Day ceremony to honor the lives of fallen soldiers.

"I saw families coming out here sharing a moment at the grave, I saw families placing flags on the grave. I saw kneeling, I saw them hugging head stones and crying. I saw them sharing a special moment with their loved ones," said Jamie Porter, director of Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

It's a day to remember loved ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and for one Las Cruces family, it's a day to remember Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Rey Rodriguez.

Rodriguez died when he was attacked while on a combat operation in Afghanistan three months ago.

In February, hundreds lined the streets of Las Cruces for his funeral processions. He was later laid to rest at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

On Monday, his aunt Anita Rodriguez paid tribute on a Facebook post. She recalled special moments from when he was a child.

"We remember the little boy running and playing outside, helping his grandpa do yard work, or sometimes helping on our small family farm," she wrote.

Antonio Rodriguez graduated from Mayfield High school in 2009 and then enlisted in the U.S. Army.

He was deployed eight times with the 75th Ranger Regiment and twice with 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, as part of anti-terrorism missions.

"Antonio was born to shine. Although, most of us didn’t really know the exemplary military man he became, until after his death, our family and close friends, will forever miss that precious little boy and kind young man he was," his aunt wrote.

He was posthumously promoted from staff sergeant to sergeant first Ccass and awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals.

His aunt wrote, "Antonio Rey Rodriguez made the ultimate sacrifice for us, like his military comrades, to be able to have the freedoms we do, and for our country. Now he’s a warrior in Heaven. Part of God’s army. Thank you for your service, Antonio Rey Rodriguez. Antonio Rey Rodriguez, was a soldier who died a hero."

The Rodriguez family told ABC-7 they were not yet ready to speak beyond the social media posting.

You can watch the entire Fort Bliss Cemetery ceremony by clicking here.