A tribute was paid Tuesday to Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., who died a year ago in an Army training mission.

The Joliet ceremony at the Spanish Community Center was held as Duenez, a Joliet native, and his fellow soldiers were being honored this week in Lithuania, according to a news release from the Collins Street Neighborhood Council.

The four soldiers died when their armored vehicle sank into a Lithuanian bog.

A sign in Duenez’s memory, donated by Jeff Eberhard, was posted outside the front entrance to the Spanish Community Center.

“Sgt. Jose Dueñez Jr.’s life of service, sacrifice, and love will continue to live on through his family, his community, and all those who gathered to honor him,” stated the release.

Duenez’s family, friends, city officials including Mayor Terry D’Arcy, and Joliet police and firefighters participated in the ceremony along with “a strong showing of community members,” according to the release.

“Pastor Andrew Smith of Cornerstone Church of Joliet closed the ceremony with encouraging words, scripture, and prayer,” the release stated. “Mayor D’Arcy reflected on Sgt. Dueñez’s courage and applauded both the family and the Joliet community for coming together in unity to honor his life and sacrifice.”