He gave himself, and in return, his community gave him one hour.
A soldier was laid to rest in Lebanon today, and much of the town shut down during his funeral service.
Army Specialist James Finley was serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan when he was killed by a roadside bomb May 31st.
Monday he was buried at the veterans' cemetery in his hometown of Lebanon.
But not before his community could say goodbye.
"I think it's the least we can do to show our respect for the family."
RE/MAX Realty in Lebanon is usually slammed with prospective home-buyers and eager sellers Monday afternoon.
But this Monday afternoon, the housing market's been put on hold.
Broker Owner Liz Whittenberg says, “I think there is a great number of us doing that”-giving an hour for a man who gave us eternity.
“He's a well-loved, well-like member of our community. The family is well-loved, well-liked, well-respected. The community is grieving with them,” explains Mayor CP Craig.
And for that very reason he asked Lebanon businesses to close from 1:30 to 2:30 in honor of Specialist Finley.
While everyone agreed with the sentiment, not everyone could comply with the request.
“I think it's a nice gesture, it's a little unfeasible sometimes."
Still, local restaurant owner Mike Horton proudly displayed the flag and joined hundreds of community members along Jefferson Avenue to watch the funeral procession make its way from the church to the cemetery.
“Our main purpose is to honor a fallen hero and our second purpose is to shield the family from any outside interference,” explains Jerry England.
He’s a motorcyclist with national group the Patriot Guard Riders, who came from a half dozen states to surround Heritage Baptist Temple with over 100 flags during the service, and lead the way to Finley's final resting place… in a town so touched by his sacrifice, they made a small one of their own.
Specialist Finley is survived by his parents and four siblings, two sisters and two brothers.
He was in the military for more than two years, and before going to Afghanistan, he was stationed in Germany.