"NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An Arkansas soldier killed this month in combat in Afghanistan was remembered at his funeral as a hero who died doing what he loved.
"Dozens of people crowded into the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock Friday for the funeral of Cpl. Loren Buffalo, 20, who was killed March 9 when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on patrol in Kandahar Province. He was assigned to Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team of 101st Airborne Division based in Fort Campbell, Ky.
"Buffalo's cavalry Stetson was placed on top of the coffin and his friends added a white feather to the hat as a symbol of his spirit and love of hunting, fishing and bull riding.
"Sgt. Juan Carrion stepped out of a group of cavalrymen and told those gathered about his friend "Buffalo."
"I never thought something like this would happen to him," he said, calling Buffalo one of the strongest people he knew, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.
"Carrion was wounded in Afghanistan several weeks before Buffalo's death.
"Buffalo had thrown a rope over his shoulder and carried me for some distance to the safety of a helicopter," he said, his voice low and steady. "For the short time I've known Buffalo, he left me with enough memories for a lifetime."
"Christopher Higgingbotham, one of Buffalo's fellow soldiers from Bravo Troop in Afghanistan, wrote that Buffalo "had nothing but pure heart and not a thing less. He is a hero, he was the best friend anyone could ask for, he was a great leader and an even better role model. RIP Buff ... we all miss you so much already."
"Minister James Watson told the audience that while "taps will play for him today," reveille will blow for him in heaven.
"Buffalo, who grew up in Mountain Pine, was the 93rd Arkansan to die in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Kenneth Stepp proudly salutes Loren Buffalo of Mountain Pine, Arkansas, killed in Afghanistan! Let's support our troops. Let's bring them safely home!
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