JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A military honor guard, hundreds of Navy personnel, police and firefighters and members of the Robert E. Lee Navy Junior ROTC squad were at Naval Air Station Jacksonville Friday as the remains of Pfc. Tavarus Setzler arrived home.

The military men and women and public servants were there to honor Setzler's family and fiancée at the somber return of the soldier who died Oct. 2 when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Iraq.

"The last time this family saw their son was waving flags with smiles and cheers and, 'Don't worry, we'll see you when you get back," said Dan McCarthy, head of Jacksonville's office of military affairs. "We all come together to recognize that sacrifice."

The solder’s family was planning for a wedding -- Setzler was planning to get married next month. Instead, there will be a funeral for the 23-year-old at noon Saturday at Greater Hope First Born Church of the Living God on Davis Street.

Setzler, who grew up in Jacksonville and graduated from Lee High in 2005, is the youngest of seven children.

"To see their pain ... I'm really glad I'm here for this, to be able to help," Lee NJROTC member Kristen Smith said.

Setzler joined the military in November 2007 as a combat engineer. He deployed to Iraq in June with the 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, based in Fort Hood, Texas.

"Looking at the family that's here today and how difficult it is for them ... I hope my family doesn't ever have to go through it," said Douglas Hanson, another NJROTC member.

Channel 4 learned one of Setzler's high school classmates, Josh Stanley, was also stationed in Iraq at the time, and tried to save Setzler's life.

Setzler's decorations and awards include the Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.