Hardin County, said goodbye to Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington on Saturday.

His funeral was held at Central Hardin High School, where Pennington attended school and ran cross-country and track and field.

Hundreds of people gathered at the school to pay their respects to the soldier, who was killed while serving his country earlier this month.

As Staff sergeant, Pennington's body was transferred from Fort Knox to his hometown of Glendale on Friday.

Hundreds of people lined the streets to honor him.

Those who knew him say being an American soldier was Pennington Stream.

Tom Pitt was one of Pennington's teachers at Central Hardin High School.

He says Pennington was a special kind of student.

He was basically the the quintessential All-American.

It's it's unfortunate.

It's heartbreaking.

It's not surprising.

He was always to me, was always the type of person who would, who would do things for the betterment of others.

He would love to service.

He always wanted to be in the service.

And when he made his commitment to be in the service, he was 100% gung ho.

Ben was doing what Ben wanted to do.

And I am in a safer place because people like Ben do what they do, that I don't know what it is, but they do what they do.

And I can go to bed at night comfortable knowing that I'm safe.

And we all can.

On Friday, the Kentucky House of Representatives adjourned in remembrance of Pennington.

Lawmakers commended his bravery and his sacrifice.

As we grieve his loss, let us also honor his life by holding close to the values he fought to protect courage, service and love of country.

May we never forget.

Staff Sergeant Pennington.

And may his memory inspire us to live the same honor he exemplified every day.

Though Benjamin was only 26, his bravery and commitment will leave a lasting mark on all who knew him and all of Kentucky.

May we never forget Staff Sergeant Pennington.

And may his memory inspire us to live the same honor that he exemplified every day.

Rest in peace, comrade.

Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington died from injuries sustained in an airstrike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

He was 26 years old.

Thank you so much, Mackenzie Bank for that.

Staff Sergeant Pennington was laid to rest at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery and in Radcliffe.