NOVINGER, MO --  

A grateful nation is saying goodbye to an entire generation of soldiers.
   
A World War II veteran was honored as he was laid to rest Thursday morning.
   
Lifelong Novinger resident Charles William Pearce passed away Monday at the age of 88.
  
Services were held Thursday at St. Rose Catholic Church and the Novinger Cemetery with military honors.
  
The Patriot Guard Riders also honored Pearce for his service in the European Theater with the 82nd Air Borne during World War II as a paratrooper. Pearce was held in Germany as a prisoner of war for seven months.