RADIO E TELEVISAO DE PORTUGAL -- The funeral of the Portuguese soldier who lost his life in Afghanistan took place this Tuesday in Crestuma, Vila Nova de Gaia. At the church in the home town of Sergio Miguel Vidal Oliviera Pedrosa were more than three thousand people.

The body arrived in Crestuma during the morning. Shortly before the start of the funeral ceremonies, the commander of the brigade to which Sergio Pedrosa belonged could not hide the sadness. "It's a pain difficult to overcome," said Major General Carlos Jerónimo.

"We believe we are in compliance with the duty and, despite these adverse events, we are always prepared to serve the interests of Portugal wherever it is," added the commander of the Rapid Reaction Brigade of the Army.

Anysite.org -- Our comrades are integrated into the Fast Reaction Force of the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force), where they conduct patrols (motorized and dismounted), escorts, interventions in riots.

For them it is, currently, pure routine to carry out risky tasks, as they patrol in military vehicles along the road from the Afghan capital Kabul to Jalalabad. The code name for the road is "Violet". The frequency of attacks attempted against convoys along the route has earned the nickname route "Violent".