Two Soldiers From The East Bay Die In Iraq

http://cbs5.com/news/local/2004/04/08/High_Cost_of_War_Hits_Home.html

Family and friends gathered Thursday in Fremont to remember Layfield, 19, who was killed by hostile fire Tuesday in Iraq. They recalled a young man who, from almost Day One, was fascinated with the military, wars, soldiers and guns.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/the_valley/8392562.htm

"I was pretty much against Kyle joining. I was fearful of his safety," Mark Crowley said, adding that joining the military helped his son mature.
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Crowley was one of three Bay Area service people to die in Iraq since the weekend.
http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?S=1773494&nav=5D7lMANV

Kyle had wanted to be a Marine for years, Kaempf said. He insisted his father "pre-enter" him at 16, and sign the needed permission papers. He joined the corps right out of high school, graduating from Del Amigo High in June 2003. On leave from boot camp, he visited Cal High in his uniform, talking to his old teachers about his new life as a soldier.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/8383339.htm

Steve Speights, 18, who recalled that Crowley wanted to be the kind of Marine who would go behind enemy lines. "He wanted to be in the most gnarly position. He knew what he was getting himself into.''
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Reneau said, recalling that Crowley had visited the campus in December wearing his Marine uniform. "He was so proud. He stood taller. He just looked so mature.''
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/04/09/BAGIR62HHK42.DTL