The soldier killed in Texas during an Army training was brought home to North Carolina on Monday.
Veterans and military members gathered to honor Private Ethan Brewer of Apex and his family at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Brewer enlisted in the Army in 2025 and wanted to train as a medic, arriving at Fort Hood in early 2026. His awards include the Army Achievement Medal.
His father, Matthew Brewer, told WRAL he helped his son swear in.
“One of the best honors of my life was getting to swear him in before he went off to basic [training],” he said.
According to officials at Fort Hood, Brewer was killed in a vehicle rollover involving a front-line ambulance during training.
Patriot Guard Riders of North Carolina saluted as a hearse brought Ethan’s flag-wrapped casket from a plane that landed at RDU.
© WRAL
A motorcycle and police escort then led the soldier to an Apex funeral home.
Patriot Guard Riders anticipate another flag salute for Ethan’s funeral