US Army Specialist Patrick L. Lay II, from Bradenton, Florida, was killed in action on Thursday 11th August 2011 while on combat operations in Afghanistan.
21-year-old Spc. Lay died from injuries he sustained in a bomb blast. He was an infantryman serving with the 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum, New York.
His mother, Stefenie Hernandez, told local news: “My son gave his life for his country so we can live free and continue to have what we have,” She went on to say that “He was fun-loving. He liked to joke. He was a very, very sweet child.”
He was engaged to Joann Steiff, also 21. They were planning to marry next year.