SWAMPSCOTT, Mass. -- The town of Swampscott paused Thursday to honor the memory of a fallen soldier -- a young man just two years out of high school.

NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper reported that Army Spc. Jared Raymond, 20, was killed in Iraq last week. Raymond was a 2004 graduate of Swampscott High School. Officials called off school Thursday so teachers and students could attend the funeral.

Mourner filled St. John the Evangelist Church to pay their respects.

"I don't think anyone of us will forget this day -- for as long as we live -- the day we said farewell to Jared," the Rev. Robert Reed said. "Jared Raymond is a hero. Jackie, your son is a real American hero -- the kind of person we honor with statues and monuments."

The only child of Jackie and grandson of Agnes, Raymond was baptized at St John's.

He decided to join the Army after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"He gave his life for that in which he believed. He never wants Sept. 11 to happen again. He believed in the greatness of this nation. He believed family and friends should be able to live freely," Reed said.

"My friends, America called, and Spc. Jared answered. Thank you," Raymond's uncle, Jim Raymond, said.

Raymond was laid to rest at Swampscott Cemetery.