LAKE HAVASU CITY — As a teenager growing up in Lake Havasu City, Patrick Tinnell was known for riding his BMX bicycle, once jumping it over an elephant as a stunt.
Dozens of his childhood biking friends were among more than 1,000 mourners who gathered Saturday to say farewell to the 25-year-old soldier, killed when a suicide bomber attacked his Humvee in Iraq on April 19.
Pfc. Patrick Allan Tinnell was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and was on his first tour in Iraq after joining the Army in September. Survivors include his mother, Debbie, of Lake Havasu City; and his father, James, of Quincy, Fla.
His mother said he joined the Army because he believed in protecting freedom.
"He said he wanted to fight for his country," Debbie Tinnell said. "I didn't believe him, it sounded too cliché.
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"But when he got over there, when he saw the camaraderie and the friendship and how those boys were over there fighting, he wanted to be a part of what those boys were doing," she said. "He wanted to serve his country and he was proud of the Army."
A fellow soldier read farewell letters from his squadmates at Saturday's service.
"He will be missed," said Spc. Fred Nelson. "We'll miss the laughter and the joy he brought to us and we're sorry we didn't have more time to spend with him."
Besides the cars in the lot at the Lake Havasu City Recreation and Aquatic Center Saturday, there were about 30 BMX bicycles.
"A bunch of his friends got together and did what we hadn't done for years," said Kevin Lyon, who had known Tinnell since he was 12. "Racing brought us together. I'll miss his wild antics. There was always something. He always surprised you."
Tinnell was buried at Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens cemetery, accorded full military honors by the 101st Airborne Division Eagles Honor Team.
Debbie Tinnell was presented with an American flag and taps was played by a solitary bugle player.
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