CONCORD, Calif. -- Hundreds of people crowded into Concord's Saint Bonaventure Church on Monday to say goodbye to another man who died too young.

Scott Barnett, an army private killed in Iraq, was just 24 years old. He was remembered as a mischievous Boy Scout with a wandering mind who met his wife-to-be, Nikki, in high school and found purpose.

Barnett's friend Chris Jaurigue said Barnett enlisted for the sake of his wife and his family and for everyone he truly cared about.

"Scott was honestly one of the greatest men i have ever known in my life," said Jaurigue.

Medals were presented to Barnett's widow and mother. A general called Barnett a true hero because he enlisted knowing his country was in two wars and that his chances of deployment were high.

The two wars have hit Concord especially hard. Per capita, the East Bay community has been hit much harder than most California cities.

About 120,000 people live in Concord, but six of its residents have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Compare that to the seven war casualties in San Jose, a city where the population is over a million. Three residents have died from San Francisco (population 800,000), while none from Oakland (population 400,000) have died.

Devlyn Sewell is a member of Contra Costa Blue Star Moms. She said Concord is a small town full of people who "want to support their country."

Statistics show more people per capita enlist from small and medium-sized towns in comparison to big cities. Some enlist for patriotic reasons, while others are driven by economic reasons. Some simply do so out of a sense of purpose.

"I think a lot of these boys grow up," said Concord resident Linda Hobbie. "They get to a certain age and they want some kind of direction in their lives."

Mary Tollefson said she came to Scott Barnett's funeral because Concord supported her when her 22-year-old son, Private Benjamin Tollefson, was killed in Iraq a year ago.

"It does seem strange that we have lost so many," said Tollefson. "I don't know. I really don't know why. It is just unfortunate."

Natalie Tollefson, Benjamin's widow, saw similarities between her husband and Scott Barnett. "He wanted to make something of himself and provide for me and our kid," she said.