CHICOPEE, Mass. -- Flags in Massachusetts were lowered to half-staff on Thursday as family and friends said goodbye to Staff Sgt. Daniel Newsome in Chicopee.

NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper reported that Newsome, 27, died last week from wounds suffered in a bomb blast in Iraq. He left behind a wife and a 1-year-old son.

Newsome is the third Chicopee serviceman killed in the Iraq war. He was honored at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Thursday.

"A lot of people talk about, you know, he's a hero. But that's what people say that when soldiers die. I can tell you, with my own eyes I have seen that this guy is a hero. He saved my life on more than one occasion. He's going to be very missed," said Newsome's friend, Sgt. Jack Schnackenberg.

"As a family member I can tell you it's a great comfort to see so many people that we know, but so many people from the city, so many veterans. Many people in uniform have come and it just sends message to the family that even in your loss, we're there for you and we honor Danny," said Newsome's uncle, Ken Willette.

Newsome is the 69th Massachusetts resident to die fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.