MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho – Gov. Dirk Kempthorne on Wednesday eulogized Air Force Master Sgt. Evander Earl Andrews as “a true American and a patriot.”

Andrews, 36, a Maine native, was the first American serviceman reported killed in the U.S. military campaign against terrorists in Afghanistan.

Kempthorne said Andrews “was good at what he did. And he served whenever and wherever he was called. He was the type of man who was not only ready to do what was needed, he was likely already doing it, and doing it well.”

About 200 people attended the first of two Idaho memorial services for Andrews, who was killed last week in a forklift accident while building an airstrip in the Persian Gulf country of Qatar.

His body was returned to the United States on Monday.

Wednesday’s service was conducted in an aircraft hangar on the base where Andrews was stationed. Most of those in attendance were uniformed military personnel. Andrews’ widow, Judy, was on hand, but his four children were not.

Kempthorne thanked Mrs. Andrews for her sacrifice.

“The Air Force brought you to Idaho. Now, on behalf of all Idahoans, let me give our gratitude, our appreciation and our enduring love and devotion to you for the gift of your husband,” the governor said.

Another memorial service was scheduled Thursday night at the Mountain Home Bible Church. Andrews’ funeral will be Monday at Fort Meyer, Va., followed by burial with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Originally from Solon, Maine, Andrews was assigned to the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base.

He left behind his wife and four children – Ethan, 9, Leah, 6, Courtney, 4, and Mackenzie, 2 – along with his parents in Solon, and three sisters and other family members in Maine and elsewhere.