CHITTENANGO -- At halftime of Chittenango's game against Westhill a standing room only crowd cheered as Sgt. Ed Bolen was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ed Bolen, a Chittenango native and star in several sports, was killed in action last year in Afghanistan. His widow, Andrea Bolen, accepted the award for him on Friday night. Sgt Bolen was killed just a little over two months after they were married.

Many in the crowd said it would be hard to ever show how much Ed Bolen meant to his friends, family and the Chittenango community. Hundreds of people lined the streets of Chittenango and attended the funeral when his body returned from Afghanistan in November of last year.

"He's really a true hero in the community," said Chittenango Superintendent Michael Schiedo. Scheido was also Bolen's football coach. "Probably one of the hardest working individuals I coached and he just loved life."

"Eddie was a great kid. He was a great nephew - he was like a third son to me," said his uncle, Michael Bolen.

Michael Bolen said he was glad to see his nephew honored for his achievements. "It's a soft spot in your heart. Brings a tear to your eye. A glad tear."

Douglas Graham is stationed at Fort Drum now and his son plays center for Chittenango. Graham came to Friday's game in full Class A uniform - his way to honor a fellow soldier.

"Just going over talking to family, I almost broke down. I just wanted to introduce myself and I felt everything... I said I'm sorry. I just got to say thank you," said Graham.

Starting next year Ed Bolen's number will be given to the Chittenango player who best exemplifies courage, selflessness and leadership - qualities Bolen was known for.