pc. Heath Kayne Quinton Pickard, 21, of Frankston, was laid to rest Saturday during a moving tribute to his life and dedication to his country. Pickard was a member of the 25th Infantry Division of the United States Army when he died Oct. 16 in Iraq. At least 60 Patriot Guard Riders, with large American flags in hand, lined the driveway of the Evangelistic Temple in Palestine as they stoically stood guard throughout the service.Except for the ringing of the replica Liberty Bell at the site, there was stillness and silence as family members and friends received Pickard's body into the church. The bell, flanked by oversized 10 Commandments tablets, rung once every 20 seconds and then every three seconds as members of the 15th Special Troops Battalion from Fort Hood moved Pickard's flag-draped casket into the church. The service was officiated by Dr. Barry Roberts and the Rev. George Folmar. Friends, family, classmates, veterans and active soldiers filled the church and quietly remembered Pickard. As the song, "If You're Reading This" by Tim McGraw, began to play, it provoked streams of tears from most of the congregation. The Rev. Folmar observed 4-month-old Ethan remaining still until the song played, hinting that he was communicating with his father."Three times, his right hand went straight up," he said. "We have an awesome God."In addressing Pickard's death, the Rev. Folmar posed the question, "why so soon?" "I don't know," he said. "I do know that God does not make any mistakes. He's never too late, never too soon and he's never mixed up." Among those paying tribute to Pickard were two fellow servicemen in his battalion. Near the end of the service, they performed a final roll call as they called out for Pickard. About one-fourth of the audience was servicemen and servicewomen or veterans. Many of Pickard's graduating classmates were also in attendance. The Rev. Folmar told the classmates to keep Pickard's memory alive by sharing with Pickard's son what his father meant to them. Maj. Gen. Peter Vangael, chief of field artillery at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, presented wife, Sara, of Fairbanks, Alaska, with several medals awarded to Pickard, including a Purple Heart and The Bronze Star.He also told the audience about the sacrifices made by fellow men and women who serve in the military. "For all of us, we are not that far away from this," Vangael said. "When we put our names on the dotted lines, you got to know what can happen. Giving of oneself is the ultimate sacrifice we can make. The only thing we can do now is honor him. It helps us to remember. He'll receive dozens of medals and citations, and while it doesn't even come close to erasing what you are going through, it's all that we have." Before taking the five-mile trip to the gravesite, former classmates left red roses with messages attached to them. Again, there was stillness and silence. The motorcade was saluted by bystanders with American flags off U.S. Highway 287. Again, Patriot Guard Riders encircled at the gravesite during a three-shot rifle volley, which was then proceeded by a taps performance. Following the ceremonial folding of the flag, it was given to Mrs. Pickard and other flags were given to Pickard's mother, Paula Pickard and grandmother, Margaret Pickard. The graveside service concluded with the last rings of completion by the replica Liberty Bell, signifying that his life was not taken from him. It is complete, said belladier, David Hall. Memories of Pickard evoked the same emotion from everyone. He was painted as a young man who loved to make people laugh and was dependable to those he cared about. "He was a very, very kind guy," said former classmate Nikki Dunlap. "He was always there for anybody. He will be missed. A lot of people loved him." His mother and grandmother both acknowledged his strength as they recounted Pickard being seriously burned at three years old. "He was strong. Strong in spirit and strong in body," his grandmother said. She said he was an outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting and "paintballing." "He brought happiness. He brought sunshine. He brought laughter and a lot of love," added his mother. "He was always really strong and really brave as a kid." Pickard is also survived by his brothers, Chance and Austin. Austin is in the Army and will soon return to Frankfurt, Germany, to complete his duty. Though they were married for only a year and a half, Mrs. Pickard had a chance to love Heath, whom she called "a great father." With the folded American flag clinched in her arms, she stood quietly, yet resiliently as she said her last goodbyes to her young husband. Pickard's aunt, Fay Redd, helped raise Pickard along with his grandmother. She said the support given to the family over the past week has provided some comfort. She especially thanked the Patriot Guard Riders and the U.S. Army. "We know that we are not alone and it's an honor to see how much respect and appreciation that people have for the sacrifice that Heath made," she said. By COSHANDRA DILLARD Staff Writer TylerPaper.com