NORWOOD, Mass. -- Family and friends gathered in Norwood on Monday to say goodbye to a local soldier who was killed in Iraq.

NewsCenter 5's Shiba Russell reported that 1st Lt. Andrew Bacevich, 27, of Walpole, died on May 13 when a roadside bomb exploded while he was on combat patrol.

"All the prayers that we had offered for his safe return had not been answered as we had hoped. Our worst nightmare has come true," said the Rev. John Culloty of St. Timothy Church in Norwood.

Bacevich was the son of outspoken war critic and Boston University professor Andrew Bacevich.

"Lt. Bacevich is the same age as my oldest son. So it strikes a special cord when you lose a son that young," said Paul Bishop.

Bacevich was a legislative aide for former Gov. Mitt Romney.

"It is really sad because he died in the war," one young mourner said.

"I think they are very brave to help our country, and it is really sad that they always die," another young mourner said.

"May your example help each one of us to do right," Culloty said.

Bacevich was buried in Walpole.