Two soldiers from North Texas were recently killed in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan.
Spc. Michael C. Roberts
The flag outside of Richland High School is at half-staff honoring 2006 graduate Spc. Michael C. Roberts, 23, of Watauga.
Roberts, who followed his two older brothers into the Army, died Saturday when insurgents attacked his military police unit using an improvised explosive device.
"We're all very devastated about Michael passing. We're just so proud to have had a brother that was young, so dedicated to what he did," said Patrick Roberts, Michael's brother.
"It's always a sad day when we have to stand up and talk about the loss of a young life," said Mark Thomas, with the Birdville Independent School District. "As a school district, our heart and prayers go out to the family."
A memorial page is filling up with condolences on Facebook from friends far and wide.
Roberts was assigned to the 561st Military Police Company, 716th Military Police Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade which is based at Fort Campbell, Ky.
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Pfc. Jesse W. Dietrich
A second soldier from North Texas was also killed in the Kandahar province last week. Pfc Jesse W. Dietrich, 20, of Venus, died Aug. 25 of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.
Dietrich's father, who also serves in the Army, is now headed home to North Texas from Iraq.
"I'm very proud of him for following through, doing this. This is not something that most people, you know most people take it pretty lightly about serving their country. He was very adamant about it and wanted to do it," said Paul Roberts, Jesse's father.
Dietrich was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Funeral arrangements for the soldiers have not yet been revealed.
