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First, Jason Freiwald became a member of the U.S. Navy SEALs, one of the world's elite military units. Then, a brother became a SEAL. Now, remarkably, yet another brother is training to be SEAL.

The Freiwalds of Armada have long been known as an uncommon clan, and friends and neighbors are especially thinking of them today, because family members are burying Chief Special Warfare Operator Jason Freiwald in Arlington National Cemetery.

Freiwald died Sept. 11 in Afghanistan. He was 30. Another Michigan SEAL, Senior Chief Warfare Operator John Marcum of Flushing Township, died in the same incident. He was buried Sept. 19.

Freiwald and Marcum "willingly placed themselves in harm's way to prosecute our enemies to the farthest corners of the Earth," Rear Admiral Ed Winters, commander of the Naval Special Warfare Command, said in a statement. "We owe them and their families an eternal debt of gratitude."

SEALs are the Navy's special operations force whose famously rigorous training weeds out up to 80% of applicants. As with other elite military units, SEALs have a vibrant esprit de corps, and Freiwald's death was mourned by a large extended family of commandos on the front lines of the war on terror and by people in Macomb County.

Ken Keding is among Armada residents who have admired the Freiwalds and the way their sons are serving their country.

"That's amazing," Keding said. "People don't realize how tough it is to be a SEAL. That family is dedicated and patriotic."

Craig Smith, the athletic director at Armada High School, said: "Hard work was a family characteristic."

The Navy does not release much information about the SEALs' activities, and a spokeswoman said she could not provide any details of Freiwald's death other than he was "fatally shot" during "a battle with heavily armed militants."

Since becoming a SEAL, Freiwald had undergone instruction in sniper training, Arabic and tactical rock climbing, among other specialties.

He was highly decorated; his official obituary said he had deployed five times for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2005. Among his many medals are Bronze Stars for valor in combat and a Purple Heart for having been wounded in battle.

Freiwald graduated from Armada High in 1996. He was widely remembered as skinny and small but tough, and filled with self-confidence.

"A pretty strong little kid," said Grant Keding, a fellow student and the son of Ken Keding.

Freiwald excelled as a wrestler, and played second base on the baseball team.

"When he came out, I didn't think he was going to be a starter," said Mike Thorman, the retired Armada High baseball coach. "He forced me to change my mind. He was a Pete Rose-type player."

Freiwald's funeral was Saturday in Virginia Beach, Va., where he lived with his wife, Stacey, and daughter, Jasmine.

During the graveside service at Arlington today, seven riflemen will fire three volleys each. "Taps" will be played and pallbearers will crisply fold the American flag into a triangle to present to his family.