November 7, 2009 Capt. Jones, a 'true American patriot', laid to rest Play video

(NECN: Tom Langford, Falmouth, Mass.) - With soulful songs and solemn prayers, more than 300 mourners gathered on Saturday in a Falmouth, Massachusetts church to say goodbye to Marine Captain Eric Jones.

His best friend, Michael Warshaw, remembers Jones as a gentleman, quick with a joke and quick to help others.

He said, with a degree from Northeastern University, Jones could have had a career in finance.

But instead, the attacks of September 11th solidified his decision to join the military.

"Eric wanted to serve his country. Eric wanted to be a pilot. Eric wanted to be in the Marine Corps," Warshaw said. "It only took eric 29 years to accomplish all of his goals."

He served two tours of duty in Iraq, and his third took him to Afghanistan.

He was killed on October 26th, when two helicopters collided mid-air.

"He was a hero, we all know that, but I'm not going to call him a hero because he never considered himself a hero," Lewis Mantel said. "He considered what he did to be an everyday job, that's the way he was."

Captain Jones was due to come home this month.

Mantel, who watched him grow up, looked over his casket and said Jones is home now.

"We have lost a true American patriot. And while we grieve, we must also celebrate the life of someone who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country," Mantel said.

"Eric, you were my better half, my friend, my brother and now you are my hero," Warshaw

Captain Jones was buried in the National Cemetery in Bourne, not too far from the final resting place of Captain Kyle Van De Giesen of North Attleborough, who was killed in the same crash.