CHEYENNE - The funeral Tuesday for a 19-year-old Wyoming soldier killed in Iraq briefly transformed Cheyenne's downtown into an elaborate show of patriotism.

By the time the family of Pfc. James Joseph Arellano arrived at St. Mary's Cathedral, more than 200 supporters holding wind-whipped American flags had surrounded the historic church.

Arellano was killed by an improvised explosive device Aug. 17 while on foot patrol south of Baghdad. He left behind a large family, including parents James Arellano of Portola, Calif., Diana Arellano of Thornton, Colo., and a wife of just five months, Jaime Arellano of Cheyenne.

Before the funeral, Arellano's aunt and uncle, Rita and Scott Sheppard, made their way around the church, shaking hands with each flag bearer and expressing their appreciation.

"It's a wonderful thing to see so many people waving the American flag," Scott Sheppard said.

Rev. Gary Ruzicka delivered the eulogy, in which he said Arellano had a great zeal for life and will be missed.

He also addressed the difficult emotions that can accompany the loss of a young person: "We think to ourselves, 'It shouldn't be this way' … but God's timing sometimes isn't our timing."

Soldiers presented Arellano's widow and parents with a folded American flag and three posthumous military awards: a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and a Combat Infantry Badge.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal thanked Arellano's family for their "remarkable sacrifice" and delivered condolences on behalf of the state's citizens. He said Wyoming residents have a strong sense of community and feel deeply the loss of its citizens.

"I thank you for allowing us to intrude on what is really a moment of private grief. It is not lost on us that what is gone is a husband, son, brother and a friend.

"Ultimately, James is in the palm of the Lord's hand," Freudenthal said.

Brig. Gen. Anne Macdonald, deputy commander at Fort Carson, Colo., said Arellano represented the finest of what the country has to offer and that his loss will never be forgotten.

"He remains an inspiration to us all," she said.

Arellano was buried with military honors at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens.

Don Ohlin, a 51-year-old Cheyenne software engineer and Vietnam-era veteran, was among the supporters who posted flags outside the church. He said it was an honor to pay tribute to Arellano's memory.

"This soldier sacrificed everything," Ohlin said. "All I'm doing is standing here for a few minutes."

Ohlin and others are part of the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle group that attends military funerals to shield families - often with a wall of American flags - from protesters. The Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church, which attends military funerals to espouse its anti-homosexual message, had promised to picket Arellano's funeral. The group failed to show up.

Don Dailey, a recently retired Marine Corps veteran, drove 357 miles from Dubois to attend the funeral as a member of the Patriot Guard.

Dailey, who fought in Iraq and Somalia during a 20-year military career, said a soldier's funeral is the wrong place to protest.

"I fought for (the Westboro Baptist Church's) right to voice its opinion, but they can do it someplace else," Dailey said.

A number of Cheyenne residents picked up flags to support Arellano's family, as well.

Brian Casey, a 34-year-old Cheyenne business owner, said he wanted to show solidarity with Arellano's family.

"They lost their son serving this country, and I'm not going to let these people disgrace their family that way," Casey said. "The way I see it, this is America, love it or leave it."

Ruby Tomlinson, a retired Cheyenne resident, posted her flag near the church's west entrance.

"I think most of it is out of respect for the family and for this young man who gave his life so we can have the freedoms that give these Baptists the right to do this disgraceful thing they are doing," Tomlinson said.

Joe Hernandez, a 47-year-old Cheyenne railroad conductor, picked up a flag to protect the family in case protesters made an appearance.

"They are grieving enough," Hernandez said.

Reach capital bureau reporter Jared Miller at (307) 632-1244 or at jared.miller@casperstartribune.net.