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Sam Penrod ReportingThere's been another Utah soldier killed in Iraq. The soldier from American Fork was killed when the helicopter he was in was shot by enemy fire. Today the community is rallying around the soldier's family.
Sgt. Nathan Barnes is being remembered tonight by his family and friends as a soldier who believed in what he was doing and supporting the cause of freedom. The American Flag lines the streets around the home of Kevin and Donna Barnes in American Fork. There are yellow ribbons, too, all in honor of Sgt. Nathan Barnes, who was killed in combat yesterday in Iraq.
His father, Kevin Barnes, says, "He volunteered, believed in what he was doing, was joyful in his service to his country and people of Iraq."
Sgt. Barnes was a part of the 10th Mountain Division, a light infantry unit based at Fort Drum, New York. He had been in Iraq for nearly a year and had about four more months left in his deployment.
Kevin said, "Nathan had enlisted three years ago, had gone through basic training, was deployed in August of last year."
While it's not the homecoming they wanted, his parents, four brothers and a sister all say they are extremely proud of Nathan's military service. "He knew he was in a risky environment. He loves this country. He loves the military and the things this country stands for."
As his family grieves, they are hoping to create something positive from Nathan's death by starting a charitable trust fund to benefit someone else in need. Instead of sending flowers, they are hoping people will donate to the fund at Zion's Bank.
His family plans to hold his funeral in American Fork, in the next seven to 10 days.
