His crew thought they disabled a roadside bomb, but it exploded killing Luke.
This Memorial Day weekend not only kicks off summer, but it's a time to remember our veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to honor those who served their country and passed away.
Sunday’s ceremony took place at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.
The "motto" for today's event was 'We will not Forget'.
As part of a fitting tribute, there was a posting of the colors, a canon salute, the playing of taps, prayer and the retiring of colors.
Also at today's event were Wesley and Julie Emch.
Their son Luke was in the Navy in 2006 working with the Marines in Iraq.
Sunday they honored his memory, but say the pain of his loss remains with them.
Luke died in 2007.
He was 21 years old.
"It's hard I wish you could just get inside and feel what we feel, it's sadness, it's pride, people don't appreciate what this day means unless they have lost someone or unless they have blood in the game I guess," said Wesley Emch.
The Western Reserve National Cemetery is open dawn to dusk daily.
