Created: 11/14/2009 8:34:55 PM 
Jacksonville, Fla. -- A Mandarin soldier killed in Iraq earlier this week, is now at his final resting place.
Chief Warrant Officer Earl Scott III died in a helicopter crash in Iraq. The crash also killed another officer, Matthew C. Heffelfinger, 29, of Kimberly, Idaho.
Click Here to read fond memories from Scott's close friend.
Scott's body arrived by private charter plane on Friday at NAS JAX. Click Here to watch the plane land.
The 24-year old's flag draped casket was surrounded by flowers and wreaths in the chapel at NAS JAX on Saturday afternoon.
During the service, military officials promoted Scott to the level of Chief Warrant Officer 2. They also presented his father with a bronze star medal for Scott's meritorious service in the U.S. Army.
Family and friends told stories about Scott during the eulogy.
His lifelong friend Nick Bradley said Scott was a prankster, and played a joke on him the last time they went for a plane ride.
"I refused to grab the wheel (of the plane). And he said, 'Just grab the wheel. Come on try." And I said 'No, no! I'm not touching this wheel!' So he let go, and we start falling," said Bradley as the chapel erupted into laughter. "And he said, 'I'm not touching it. Pull it back up.' So I was like I was like 'Oh man!' So I pulled the plane back up, and said 'Just, get us back to the ground!'"
Scott's family allowed First Coast News to attend the solemn graveside service and interment at Oaklawn Cemetery.
First Coast News observed family and friends huddled near the mausoleum at Oaklawn Cemetery. They were surrounded by the Patriot Guard Riders holding American flags.
Members of the military played Taps and a rifle salute pierced the quiet sky.
"(We hope) to ease the pain. It will never go all away," Earl Scott Jr., Scott's father told First Coast News Reporter Monica Landeros after the service.
Scott said his son would have been proud of all the support from the community.
"He would probably tell us we are doing too much, because he was that kind of boy," said Earl Scott Jr.
Scott's family said his love for flying came at an early age.
"He loved helicopters. He loved flying ever since he's been a baby. Coming (out to Jacksonville) to naval air shows, we sat him in helicopters when he was little," Scott said with a smile.
Sandra, Scott's mother, was presented with an American flag.
"This was on my son's coffin. This represents our America and my son fighting for our freedom. I kind of want to hold it forever and ever at this point," said Sandra Scott, as she clutched the triangle shaped flag to her chest.
Scott's family said his final resting place has a special meaning to the family.
"We had him put on the very top of the mausoleum. That is the closest he can get to being in the air, because he loved to fly," Earl Scott Jr. said as he pointed to the sky.
In his memory, his family is also holding a drive to collect items to send to his unit in Iraq.
You can drop off items at any Watson Realty location:
FOOD ITEMS
-Instant Coffee
-Powdered Gatorade
-Powdered Hot Chocolate
-Tea Bags
-Slim Jim
-Single Serving Bags of Chips
-Candy; not chocolate, it melts
-Prepackaged snacks
-Granola Bars
-Power Bars
-Gum
-Condiments (hot sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper, etc.)
-Canned Tuna
-Canned Chicken
-Oatmeal
PRACTICAL ITEMS
-Razors
-Shampoo, conditioner
-After shave lotion
-Soap or body wash
-Deodorant
-T-shirts
-Socks
-Underwear
-Eye Drops
-Lip Balm
-Sun Block
-Lotion
-Dental Floss
-Foot Powder
-Combs/ Brushes
-Liquid Hand Sanitizer
-Breath Mints
JUST FOR FUN
-Batteries (all types)
-Stamps
-Stationary, Envelopes
-Stress Ball
-Phone Cards
-Magazines (no nude ones please)
-Paperback books
-Squirt Guns
-Frisbees
-Small Flash Lights
-Journals
-Yo Yo's
-Puzzles
-Bug Off
-Mini Foam Footballs/ Basketballs
They are accepting cash to purchase additional items and to cover shipping. CLICK HERE to make a donation through PayPal.
The items will be sent in a care package in Scott's name and handed out to his fellow soldiers who served with him.
