Army Spc. Steven E. Gutowski

Died September 28, 2011 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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24, of Plymouth, Mass.; He was assigned to 5th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; died Sept. 28, in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

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Family releases red, white and blue balloons at soldier's funeral

The Associated Press

PLYMOUTH, Mass. - A 24-year-old Plymouth soldier killed in Afghanistan has been honored in his hometown.

Army Spc. Steven Gutowski, a combat engineer, was one of three soldiers killed in Ghazni province by a roadside bomb Sept. 28.

Hundreds attended his funeral Mass on Monday in St. Peter's Church, including Gov. Deval Patrick, Sen. John Kerry, U.S. Rep. William Keating, and state Senate President Therese Murray of Plymouth.

His older sister, Cheryl Chamallas, gave a eulogy. She recalled her brother dancing at her wedding a month ago, and his delight in the Boston Bruins' Stanley Cup win last summer. After the service, family members released red, white and blue balloons outside the church.

Gutowski was awarded the Bronze Star after his death. He was buried in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.