Paying their respects and honoring the life of Sgt. Nicole Gee, thousands gathered at and near Bayside Adventure Campus for her memorial service on Saturday."What else do we have but this country and the freedom that it represents," said Eric Crawley, father to a Marine, a veteran himself."It’s a really dark day in our country," Crawley said.Many said they found immense pride in the beautiful life Sgt. Gee lived — her life now honored by everyone she knew."It means the world for us to be able to represent and be here and support the family," said Staff Sgt. Connor Mitchell."She was the light that lights up a room. Just her personality, her work ethic and her drive made us want to be one step better so we could feel like we were fit to lead her," Mitchell said.| Video Below | Full public memorial for Sgt. Nicole GeeMitchell was one of Gee's trainers recently at 29 Palms. He says their last conversation was filled with excitement, as Gee was about to live "every Marine's dream and head to Afghanistan.""That was her, she wanted to go out there and fight the good fight and unfortunately here we are," said Mitchell, as he motioned towards the church.Along the flag-lined street, hundreds gathered. "We have the freedoms that we have because of what these folks do," said Art Mann, a military father coming to attend the memorial."When I first read about Nicole and who she was, it just really hit me," said Leah Koukol as she waved a flag outside the church.Another mother of two small children, Tara Waller-Bennett said she "wanted them to experience what we are as a country and what we fight for."Crying, Waller Bennett added, " was so young ... I just feel for her family."Gee's family said during her memorial that she lived her life doing what she loved, she gave everything for another's peace, another's safety, and that they will always beam with pride over their humble, beautiful and selfless loved one.