CEDAR FALLS - One by one the soldiers approached R. Brian Gienau's casket and gave him a final salute.

The soldiers at the front of the line knew the 2nd Lieutenant best. Their fingers lingered at their temples for seconds, as if prolonging the salute would somehow keep Gienau with them.

They continued to file past the casket paying their respects for the next nine minutes. Many gave the casket a brief touch on the way by, as if it were a pat on the shoulder to their comrade in the field.

Gienau died Feb. 27 in Iraq when his Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb between Karbala and Ar Ramadi.

On Wednesday at Nazareth Lutheran Church, current and retired military personnel gathered in numbers to honor Gienau at his funeral.

Pastor John Fuller remembered Gienau well. He delivered the message at the funeral.

Fuller related a story from when Prairie Lakes Church learned Gienau would be serving in Iraq. He had Gienau come to the front of the church to be recognized.

"We laid hands on him and we prayed for him. The last thing we did for Brian - we cheered him. The whole church stood up and cheered for him. And we cheer for Brian right now," Fuller said.

In response, the hundreds gathered in the church sanctuary rose to their feet and applauded for a minute. Fuller had to ask them to return to their seats.

His former captain remembered first meeting Gienau and thinking there was no way he had achieved his rank, Gienau just looked too young. But Gienau became a trusted colleague and friend.

Col. Roy Webb delivered the military eulogy. He read from letters two of Gienau's superior officers had written.

"He was comfortable around everyone and his strength made him an exceptional officer," Lt. Col. Todd Jacobus said in his letter. "Brian's soldiers loved him, they would have followed him anywhere. They are taking this loss very hard."

As part of the service, Pastor Robert Wallace read a letter that Gienau's father, Richard, had written to him while Gienau was serving in Iraq. Richard Gienau is working toward sobriety, and he told Brian in the letter that he was sorry for being a drunk father. And he wrote of how proud he was of his son, how thinking of Brian provided him with strength.

"So I think about things like my son being a lieutenant, good looking, all around good personality, gave us a beautiful grandson … and know that you are doing a good job, the only son I ever want, the best son I ever wanted," read the letter. "You did good in everything you put your mind to, gave me a nice truck to drive, gave me an attitude adjustment when I needed it. My best friend, my number one friend, both book learned and common sense."

Gienau was a 1994 graduate of Tripoli High School. He served in the 224th Engineer Battalion of the Iowa Army National Guard's Company A.

He went through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Northern Iowa. He graduated from UNI with a degree in management information systems.

Jacobus remembered the first time he met Gienau on the UNI campus. Most ROTC cadets are quiet, respectful and perhaps a little intimidated when meeting their future commanding officer, but not Gienau. He was in the middle of joking around with friends, but broke that off to boldly walk straight up to Jacobus.

"His confidence allowed him to come up to me, his future battalion commander, a lot of people wouldn't have done this, he looked me in the eye, used his sense of humor, and spoke to me as if we'd known each other for years," wrote Jacobus.

Webb said that those in the 224th saw Gienau's potential.

"The Iowa Guard has lost a leader that would have made a tremendous impact on our organization," Webb said.

Gienau was awarded many decorations, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Jon Ericson can be reached at (319) 291-1402 or at jonathan.ericson@wcfcourier.com