Before the sun pierced through the darkness, President Barack Obama saluted 18 flag-draped coffins. Staff Sgt. Luis Gonzalez, of South Ozone Park laid prostrate under the red, white and blue.

"The people of Queens join with President Obama in honoring the life and sacrifice of Army Staff Sergeant Luis Gonzalez," said Queens Borough President Helen Marshall

Gonzalez and seven others succumbed to injuries sustained in an improvised explosive device attack. The1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, loss seven soldiers last Tuesday in Afghanistan's Operation Enduring Freedom.

"Staff Sergeant Gonzalez was a 27-year-old, highly-decorated Green Beret who was the recipient of 23 medals and citations - one of which was the Bronze Star," Marshall said. "His death in the line of duty while leading his squad on a patrol in southern Afghanistan defines the word hero and leaves us with a debt that we can never repay."

Gonzalez enlisted in the Army eight years ago and according to his mother, Bienvenida Gonzalez, who reviled the war effort, said her son was a "good boy."

Gonzalez leaves behind a wife, who is also in the Army, and a 5-month-old son.

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at saustrie@queenstribune.com or call (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.