Memorial set for two fallen Idaho soliders, third recovering
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| Staff Sergeant Jason Rzepa |
The memorial service for Nathan R. Byers, who was posthumously promoted to sergeant on the day he died, and for Specialist Nicholas W. Newby, both of Coeur d'Alene, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at Lake City Community Church, N6000 Ramsey Road, Coeur d'Alene.
The public is inved to attend.
The bodies of both soldiers are being transferred from Iraq, and each soldier will be returned to their families in dignified, planeside ceremonies. Sergeant Beyers is scheduled to arrive at the Spokane Airport by charter plane at 11 a.m. Friday; Specialist Newby is scheduled to arrive at the Coeur d'Alene Airport at 1:10 p.m. Newby's family asks that if community members would like to pay their respects as his body is being transfered to the funeral home, that the procession will pass Lake City High School, Newby's alma mater, which would be a good place for such a memorial.
A Rosary and Vigil service will be held for Sergeant Beyers, 24, at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home, N2203 Division Street, Spokane. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, E330 Boone Avenue, Spokane, at 10 a.m. Monday, July 18. Inurnment will take place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 19, at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, W21702 Espanola Road, Medical Lake.
Funeral services for Specialist Newby, 20, will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, July 18, at Lake City Community Church.
The families of both soldiers have invited the public to attend services for Idaho's fallen warriors.
All three soliders served with the 145th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Cavalry Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Post Falls.
In addition to the loss of Sergeant Beyers and Specialist Newby when their convoy was attacked by insurgents using an improvised explosive device, Staff Sergeant Jason Rzepa was severely wounded, losing both legs below the knee. He was initially treated at a military hospital in Iraq, where he was presented the Purple Heart July 8, and subsequently flown to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. He returned to the United States today, flown to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, for additional medical attention and the long process of rehabilitation.
His family is traveling to Texas to assist him through recovery.
"Despite having had both of his legs amputated below the knees, Jason's spirits are extremely high and we are very optimistic for a speedy recovery," his family said in a release. "Jason has asked us to extend a huge message of thanks for the overwhelming amount of support, prayers and positive energy of our friends, family and the community have displayed during this trying time. This will surely assist Jason through a speedy recovery, and we are greatly apprciative.