Over the weekend, many found out that Lance Corporal Andrew Patten died while on a foot patrol in Fallujah.

Lance Corporal Andrew Patten would let his spiritual side come through at Maywood Evangelical Free Church in Rockford. From elementary school on Andrew got a lot of strength from the church's youth group. Ryan Lang was just one of many who knew Andrew on a deeper level.

Ryan Lang recalls, "I feel happy about who he was and everything he did he was meant to do."

Former Youth Pastor and not Administrative Pastor Larry Seagren says, "Andy lived his life in such a way that he did it to the best of his ability."

Sunday night Andrews peers found themselves drawn to this memorial set up inside the church. It was time to cry, pray, sing and plan to properly honor his legacy. Pastor Larry tells 23 News, “We sat down to plan the funeral and that was a difficult time to plan the funeral with his friends."

Music was very important to Andrew. He played guitar in the church's high school band. But volunteering was really what made his heart sing. He was said to have a lot of energy and made it his mission to help improve someone else's life. The visitation and funeral will be held at Maywood Evangelical Free Church but the date has been announced.