BOSTON -- There was a final homecoming Wednesday for an Army paratrooper who lost his life in Afghanistan as his family and a community said goodbye to their hometown hero.

Army Spec. Benjamin Sherman's body arrived at Hanscom Air Force Base and was taken to Plymouth for burial. Sherman drowned after jumping into a river to try to rescue another a soldier.

When Sherman's mother, Denise, greeted the casket at Hanscom, she placed her left hand on it and leaned down to kiss it. About 100 family members, including his pregnant widow, Patricia, and friends were at Hanscom on Wednesday morning.

An Honor Guard from Sherman's unit, the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, N.C., traveled to Hanscom to escort their fallen comrade back to his hometown.

Images: Paratrooper's Body Returns Home

"He was a very courageous young man and gave his life for is country. You can't say much more then that," said friend Lisa Lunedei.

"He'd never a question it if his buddy or any of his platoon were to fall into a river -- Ben would be the first to jump in to rescue him. Unfortunately, it cost his own life," friend Scott Ferguson said.

"That's so sad to be saving someone else and lose his life. That's so sad," said family friend Alice Granell.

His sister, Meredith, and mother talked about his loss last week after they received word just before Veteran's Day that his body had been recovered.

"I know that the day that he jumped into the river to try to save his comrade was not just because he saw another soldier in the water but because he saw a brother. He didn't jump in because he was trained to but because his heart told him to," his sister Meredith said last week.

Sherman was a 2006 graduate of Plymouth South High School.

The Patriot Guard Riders and state police will escort the family to Plymouth. The procession is expected to arrive about 12:30 p.m. after driving past the Plymouth waterfront and his home en route to the funeral home.

Visitation is scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Davis Funeral Home in Plymouth. A funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Second Church of Plymouth, with burial following at Manomet Cemetery.

A fund has been set up in Sherman's memory to help families of military service members with unexpected financial hardships. Donations can be made to:
Benjamin W. Sherman Memorial Foundation
c/o The Rockland Trust
288 Union St.
Rockland, MA 02370

Donations can also be dropped off at any Rockland Trust branch.

If you will be along the route in Plymouth, we'd like to share your photos of the tribute in his hometown. Please take them with your cell phones and EMAIL them to ulocal@thebostonchannel.com.