Putnam County community gathers to honor fallen soldier in his hometown

LEIPSIC, Ohio (WLIO) - Hundreds of people, young and old and from near and far, gathering in downtown Leipsic Tuesday afternoon to honor the passing of Sergeant Jaden R. Nuveman.

Jaden, who was a graduate from Miller City High School, was 20-years-old and serving in the United States Army stationed in Hawaii.

The Putnam County community and more showed their patriotic pride and honored Jaden as he was brought back home and a precession was led through town. "That's what Putnam County is, that's who we are," said Troy Ellerbrock, president of the Leipsic Eagles #2793. "We rally around each other, we're always there supporting each other and we're just one big close community. Communities make up one big county."

As the precession passed through downtown Leipsic, military veterans from different branches and eras saluted Jaden and held the American flag - honoring one of their own.

"The older I get, when I do stuff like this it really gets me going to the point of tears at times, because he was active duty and you respect any veteran," said Kenneth Dunstan, adjunt of Leispic VFW 9547. "Especially when it's one that is active duty who lost his life, which is really unfortunate, but you honor them the best you can."

Jaden chose to serve his country after graduating from Miller City, and for those who knew him, sacrifice and integrity were just part of his DNA that made him so memorable.

"Jaden was a kid who never complained, he always did what you asked of him," said Ellerbrock, who was also Jaden's little league baseball coach. "He was our catcher, and it was always in the summer, and it was always hot. Never once did he say 'Coach, can somebody else catch for me?' he always wanted to do it, and that's just who Jaden is. He's a tough individual, great kid, can't say enough about him or his family."

Americans coming together to honor a soldier - a brother - and a son.