Wednesday, March 22 2006 @ 04:48 AM EST
Contributed by: River97
Views: 2,240
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 www.mlive.com -- LAKE ODESSA -- As word spread that a former Lake Odessa high school student died while serving in Iraq, shocked and saddened residents recalled Nyle Yates as a humorous and straightforward young man.
Lakewood High School Principal Mike O'Mara said he learned of the 2002 graduate's death Thursday from Yates' family.
"He was a quiet kid who did what he was supposed to do in school. He came as a baby-faced freshman all of 5'5" and left as a 6'1" senior who always had a smile on his face," recalled O'Mara.
Yates joined the Army in 2002 and was serving his second tour of duty, friends said. Yates saw combat during his first tour of duty. At that time, he was a radio operator when his commander was wounded.
"Nyle had to call in a helicopter. For a 19-year-old kid, that was pretty good," recalled the principal.
Debbie Calderon of Lake Odessa said she, too, learned of Yates' death Thursday.
"It's such a tight-knit community. We want to do something to honor his memory fighting in the war," she said.
"My heart goes out to his mother."
Some friends were too distraught to speak about him. "This town took a big hit," said one man, who described Yates as his best friend.
Ferol Ball of Lake Odessa said her son, Joe Day, of Texas, was another close friend of Yates.
Her son called her with the news of his death Thursday. "It was a rough night," Ball said.
"(Yates) was a very straightforward, honest, loving and caring individual. He served his country, he wanted to, and unfortunately he gave his life. But without men and women like him, it would be a more dangerous world. I have four sons and can't imagine losing one," Ball said.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete Friday. |
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I would like to say thannk you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
"Rakkasans-Ne Desit Virtus"
(Let Valor Not Fail)187th Inf. Motto