Topeka ? On a gray day with chilly prairie winds blowing, Army Pvt. Jeremy Drexler was buried by those who knew and loved him as a young man who cared about his friends and family and died serving his country.

Drexler, 23, was killed May 2 when his vehicle in a convoy was hit by a makeshift bomb. He was buried Thursday with military honors and was the 10th Kansan in uniform to be killed in the Iraq war.

Navy Seaman Kenny Drexler, left, and Marine Lance Cpl. Tim Drexler, right, along with Fort Riley Honor Guard members carry the casket of their brother Army Pvt. Jeremy Drexler at Penwell-Gabel Memorial Park Cemetery in Topeka. Jeremy Drexler, who was buried Thursday, was the 10th Kansan in uniform to die in Iraq.

His brothers, Marine Lance Cpl. Tim Drexler and Navy Seaman Kenny Drexler, were among the six pallbearers who carried their brother’s casket from the hearse to the grave for the military funeral. The parents, Karl and Deborah Drexler, sat a few feet from the flag-draped coffin.

Drexler was buried next to Army Spc. Kyle G. Thomas, 23, who was killed Sept. 25 in Iraq — the first Topeka resident to die in the war. Drexler, who went to a different high school from Thomas, joined the Army in November 2003 and was at Fort Hood, Texas, before leaving for Iraq in January.

Throughout the service, the parents and brothers sat together near the casket, looking forward as the Rev. Tommy Scott of the nondenominational Protestant Community Church sought to comfort them with prayer and words.

“He just loved helping people. He had a good sense of humor and loved hanging out with his friends. He was just a generous young man,” Scott said. “The reality is he gave his life for us.”

In brief remarks, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius offered her sympathy to the family, adding that she wanted “to thank Jeremy for his sacrifice.” Later, she presented the parents with a state flag that flew at the Statehouse.

Sebelius said Deborah Drexler, who works for the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, asked her to attend. While the governor has been in touch with the families of all the Kansas soldiers killed in Iraq, this is the first time she has attended one of their funerals.

“I’ve been very reluctant to intrude on what has to be a terrifically difficult service for any soldier’s family. I’m not wanting to make it any sort of political show,” she said. “In this case, the mom reached out to me.”

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius speaks at Army Pvt. Jeremy Drexler's funeral in Topeka. Drexler's mother, a Department of Revenue employee, asked Sebelius to attend Thursday.

Jason Neis, 21, recalled his friend loved music, adding he was in “complete shock” when he learned of his friend’s death.

“As the days get on, it gets a lot easier,” he said.

Karl Drexler held his wife’s arm as a Fort Riley honor guard fired a 21-gun salute — seven soldiers firing three volleys — followed by the mournful sounds of Taps.

The American flag that covered the casket slowly was folded with military precision and Brig. Gen. James Hirai “on behalf of a grateful nation” presented the flag to the mother, who clutched it and looked at the casket.

Drexler was posthumously honored with the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart which were presented to his parents.

After the hour-long service, some 100 people attending filed past the family, offering handshakes, hugs and condolences. Slowly, the people left.

Deborah Drexler was alone for a few moments, sitting next to the casket. She put her arm over it as if to give her son a final hug before she left.