A funeral for Spc. Jay Cajimat was held on Saturday at Maui Veterans Cemetery in Makawao. The Lahainaluna graduate died April 6 of injuries suffered from a roadside bomb attack on his unit in Iraq. KGMB9

Cajimat, a Lahainaluna graduate and the eldest son of Lilibeth and Dionie Cajimat of Lahaina, died April 6 of injuries suffered from a roadside bomb attack on his unit in Iraq. He joined the Army after graduating from high school, driven by a sense of duty after the terrorists attacks on the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001, and was assigned to the U.S. Army 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, deployed to Baghdad.

Jay Cajimat was born in Manila, moving with his parents to Maui when he was 3, and grew into a loyal American and "a good son," said his mother.

The crowd that turned out for his funeral filled the cemetery reception hall and spilled out the sides on the bright sunny day.

Maj. Gen. Donna L. Dacier from Fort Shafter spoke during the brief military funeral service that included a a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps.

She presented several posthumous medals and honors to Jay Cajimat, including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Iraq Service Medal. He also received a Combat Infantryman's Badge and a posthumous promotion to specialist. The flag that had been draped over his casket was folded neatly by Sgt. 1st Class Calvin Harris and presented by Dacier to the family, Lilibeth and Dionie Cajimat, and their daughters Kaya, 18, LC, 16; and LJ, 3. Vince Bagoyo represented Congresswoman Mazie Hirono in presenting the family with a plexiglass-encased American flag that had flown over the Capitol in Washington D.C.

A motorcycle club with about 30 bikes in attendance led the procession to Makawao from services held at Ballard Family Mortuary in Kahului.