Protection vital for future, locals tell Mabus
August 17, 2010Back-to-school road safety tips for children and parents
August 19, 2010A local Houma family recently fell victim to another casualty of war. Master Sgt. Jared N. Van Aalst, 34, a native of Laconia, N.H. died during his sixth deployment on Aug. 4 in Kunduz province, Afghanistan while conducting combat operations.
Van Aalst’s wife Katie, 29, who currently resides in Pinehurts, N.C., is the daughter of Mona LeBoeuf Dove and stepdaughter of state Rep. Gordon Dove Sr., and is currently pregnant with their third child. They have a 7-year-old daughter Kaylie and 22-month-old Ava.
The Army Ranger was a 1993 graduate of Plymouth Regional High School, where he was captain of the wrestling team. He was the third from that school to die overseas.
Messages of condolence were posted on UnionLeader.com a few days after Van Aalst’s death.
“It’s a very sad day for all of us who knew and loved Jared. He is truly an American hero and will never be forgotten for his sacrifice,” said PRHS classmate Master Sgt. Amanda Armstrong.
“Your distinguished career, an earmark of a life spent defending others … [is] simply inspiring to all of us who serve,” she said.
