And I will always do my duty no matter what the price
I’ve counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice
Oh, and I don’t want to die for you
but if dyin’s asked of me
I’ll bear that cross with honor
‘cause freedom don’t come free
— from “American Soldier”
by Toby Keith and Chuck Cannon
Music from a portable DVD player greeted a small crowd of area residents Saturday night as they approached the National Guard Armory for a candlelight memorial to Pvt. David J. Lane.
The songs — “American Soldier,” “Live Like You Were Dying” and “Do I Make You Proud?” — were poignant reminders why mourners and supporters had gathered in remembrance of the 20-year-old soldier.
Lane, the son of Maria and David Lane of Emporia, was killed Tuesday while he and two others were patrolling in a Humvee outside Rustamiyah camp in eastern Baghdad.
Their Humvee was hit with an explosively formed penetrator or projectile bomb, allegedly supplied by Iran to Shiite militias, the Associated Press reported. An EFP is a special type of shaped charge designed to penetrate armour effectively at stand-off distances, according to a military Web site.
Lane joined the Army in February 2006, according to information from the Department of Defense. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley.
The diverse crowd included representatives of the Flint Hills Area Vietnam Veterans, American Legion Post 5, the Patriot Guard and others.
Friends distributed tea candles to the crowd to place in rows before a display set up to honor Lane: his boots, beret, helmet, cap, an American flag and collages of photographs showing Lane with family and friends.
“He died doing what he loved, serving our country, and he represented what all soldiers are — a hero,” his mother said, thanking those in attendance for coming.
A handful reminisced about their memories of Lane.
Darren Biggs recalled how much Lane had helped him stage the World War II re-enactment for the annual Veterans Day Tribute show.
“The kid just loved history,” Biggs said.
A young man who had attended Flint Hills Technical College with Lane talked about his standard joking response when his efforts didn’t turn out as well as expected.
“He’d always look at you and say, ‘Well, I had good intentions at the time,’” the young man said, drawing understanding laughter from those who knew Lane well and his sense of humor.
Denisha Seiter and Michael Watson, who were friends of Lane, spoke of his kindness and loyalty, and his willingness to do almost anything to make people laugh.
The group ended the service with the Pledge of Allegiance and two songs, “God Bless America” and “Amazing Grace,” led by Mindy Sadowski.
Michael Watson announced that dog tags and window stickers for vehicles are being made in honor of Lane and will be sold for $5 each.
Seiter, Watson and Keith Oakley organized the candlelight memorial in Lane’s memory.
randomness_4578 (anonymous) says...
What about the injustices that this soldier has done to his own family, let alone the world? There's never a mention about his daughter, the one he rushed to sign his rights away to, the one that he fought to try not to pay child support to, the one he never really wanted. He saw her for 5 minutes of her life, that's all. I was there with his ex-wife that day. We drove all the way from WAMEGO so he could see her, so maybe he'd realize how precious she was, but did he....the answer is no. If you ask me him and his family got what they deserve.
September 11, 2007 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kyleesmom74 (anonymous) says...
Unfortunately whatever injustice you feel that David has done to his exwife and daughter this is not the place to hash out your feelings. And no matter what anyone does in life, does not mean they deserve death, please think about what you are saying.
September 11, 2007 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
I agree, this is not the place. He was only 20. He still had a lot to learn and we dont know the whole story. It is a shame that he will never have the opportunity to see that part of his life through. You should NEVER wish this on any person or family. Shame on you.
None of us are perfect. But at least we still have the opportunity to make our mistakes right.
September 11, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rachael (anonymous) says...
Randomness that is really inappropriate to post here and not appreciated. As with most things, there was more background to that story about his daughter than you're mentioning. This is not the place to go into that but I will say my brother loved his daughter was grateful he got to see her briefly while on leave.
My brother did not deserve death and that is truly a terrible thing to wish on anybody.
September 11, 2007 at 12:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Randomness, I am stunned at your vicious comment, particularly because it is directed at someone who cannot defend himself. After all that hate and nastiness directed at this fallen warrior and his family, I wonder how long you will take to rush down to your nearest Veterans' Affairs office to see about benefits. Shame on you! How shallow !
September 11, 2007 at 12:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bradyns_mom (anonymous) says...
Randomness: It is because of BRAVE soldiers like David that you have the freedom and the right to comment on this story, Our HEROS protect our country, how dare you think your petty opinion is worth wasting the space someone could of used to post a comment to HONOR him!!!!
September 11, 2007 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
food4thought (anonymous) says...
Randomness: You reap what you sew! What a terrible person you must be. You make me sick and I don't even know you. David died protecting us all even you and how awful he is gone, and a hateful person like you is still here.... Air is wasted on you.
God bless David and his family and they have my prayers and thoughts in this terrible time. David is and will always be a hero. His little girl should be told that all her life what a gift her dad has given us all for protecting our great country.
September 11, 2007 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joyarnell (anonymous) says...
Dave was a wonderful person. He died for your right to say what you did. And always remember what goes around comes around. Don't start things now. Now is not the time. Now is the time for us all to grief. I want everyone to know how much he loved and wanted to be the best daddy he could be. My three kids loved him to piece. He would have been a great daddy if he was given a chance. He would do anything for anyone. He LOVED his family more than life itself. And thought the world of his family and friend. He died for everyone in this country.
September 11, 2007 at 2:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KristieR (anonymous) says...
randomness - There are many GOOD reasons to terminate rights to a child. A friend of mine did so that his child could be adopted by the mother's new husband. My friend lived across country and could not be the kind of "father" the child deserved. He and his family know the reasons why he did what he did and it's not for us to judge. I would imagine this was tough decision for him.
My condolences to the family. I wish you happy memories of your friend and relative.
September 11, 2007 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joyarnell (anonymous) says...
Oh and by the way his daughter was mentioned yesterday in the paper and your lieing friend went and made an a*s out of herself at the newpaper office about her name in it. So look that up... You will be a victim of her in time and just remember you were warned. She knows how wonderful of a person he was. So get your facts straight first before you start pointing fingers.
September 11, 2007 at 8:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
impatient (anonymous) says...
Hateful people who attack grieving families deserve what they're getting in this comment section. They're no better than Fred Phellps.
September 11, 2007 at 8:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KUfan (anonymous) says...
I hope that when this randomness person dies, people talk about their imperfections.
September 12, 2007 at 8:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KUtriSIS (anonymous) says...
Randomness your comment can be in no way justified and you are a cold heartless @$%&*! David Lane died defending this land and you have the nerve to be so petty! Death is not something to be wished upon anyone and your karma is going to come right back around and hit you so hard your going to regret ever being so disrespectful to him, his family and his friends. You just wait until it is YOUR turn to be judged...I'm guessing your going SOUTH!
GOD BLESS DAVID LANE AND HIS FAMILY
September 12, 2007 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ProudAmerican (anonymous) says...
This comment forum is for positive comments for a young soldier who unfortunately died while doing his duty.
This place is NOT for negative comments that degrade this young soldier. I have heard the comment "he died defending his country" many times. I don't think he was actually defending his country directly, but nevertheless, he was doing his duty and doing his job. We need our military men and women badly all the time. We MUST support them and stand behind them at all times no matter if we agree with what they are doing or not! Pvt. David Lane has given the ultimate sacrifice for his country and for you and me. Honor that sacrifice with respect on this forum! He deserves that much at the very least.
September 12, 2007 at 1:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
brad_3178 (anonymous) says...
that is the single most ignorant,imature,self absorbed,jackass statement i have ever heard!!! IF,what you say is true that doesnt sum up somebodys whole life.is it the proper way to react or to handle a situation like having a baby?hell no!!but im pretty sure thats not the issue here.get a f$%^ing life!!!!
September 13, 2007 at 12:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jasonandashley (anonymous) says...
Randomness: That is the most disrespectful, hateful, and crudest pile of BS i've ever heard!!! The only reason i can think of why you made such a stupid comment is because you are feeling low and crummy about yourself, so to lift your spirits, you bash someone else's family. You're no better than that freakin fred phelps. How would you feel if it was you that had died serving over seas and people were saying that you deserved to die and your family deserved what they got?? No family deserves to lose a loved one. My uncle is a member of the national guard. He has already served one tour and expected to go back. It scares me everytime I think about it, but I will never give up on him or the men and women serving our country. I didn't support the war at first and still have negative feelings about it. But if he's going to go over seas and defend me and my family and protect your sorry ass from being blown off the face of this planet, than so be it!! I didn't know David personally, but i have friends that did, and i would like express my sympathy to his family. Thank you for son's service to our country. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME!!
September 13, 2007 at 11:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )