UNION GROVE - Hundreds of people walked through the aisle of American flags leading to the door of the Union Grove Baptist Church on Sunday afternoon, on their way to honor Army Spc. Kevin Graham, who was killed in Afghanistan late last month.

Graham lived in Salem, in Kenosha County, from 1991 until about four years ago, when he and his parents moved to Kentucky. He enlisted in the Army in 2007, and was killed when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device on Sept. 26. Graham was 27 and was assigned to 4th Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, serving as a mortar carrier driver.

About 30 members of the Patriot Guard Riders held the flags outside the church, an early reminder of why everyone was coming to the church.

Inside, family and friends greeted each other and found seats before taking time to remember

Graham's presence in their lives and his contribution to his country.

The Rev. Colson Leach, Graham's youth pastor, met Graham more than 12 years ago, he said.

"We knew Kevin was going to go into the military," he said.

At one point, when youth groups from two churches were combined, and there were two Kevins, Graham became known as "Military Kevin," Leach said.

Tristan Miller of Salem was one of Graham's best friends. The two grew up together, and remained close.

He said Graham loved military history, and enjoyed talking with veterans. He and Graham joined the Army within months of each other, he said, and he said his friend knew what he was doing when he enlisted.

"He was enlisting in a time of war and he chose to enlist as an infantryman," Miller said. "Kevin knew what he was going into. This was something he volunteered to do. Kevin knew something was wrong out there and he was going to take a stand about it."

Alex Hernandez, another of Graham's childhood friends, is grateful for the relationship he had with Graham.

"I thank God he brought friends like Kevin, like (Tristan Miller) into my life," Hernandez said.

He also said he does not mourn his friend, because he knows Graham is with God, where he no longer suffers.

"I can't feel sorrow," he said. "I can't feel the pain."

Many people said they were grateful for their relationships with Graham, described as a kind and considerate young man by Leach and others. One woman called Graham the "only gentleman" she had ever met, and another attributed to him the qualities of loyalty, diligence and courage.

"In my eyes he died an American hero," Leach said. "It's been a blessing to know Kevin Graham."