Friends Recall Iraq Casualty
By Susan Abram, Staff Writer
CANYON COUNTRY -- Family members and friends on Sunday gathered at the Canyon Country home of Cole Larsen, a military policeman with the U.S. Army who died in a vehicle accident in Iraq a day before.
As news of the 19-year-old's death spread along the quiet street of Sam Place, where American flags flapped from almost every porch, neighbors offered condolences to the family of the tall, red-headed soldier they remembered as an avid outdoorsman, good-natured, popular at school and eager to enlist in the Army.
"The first time I ever met him, he came over to our house, and I remember he pushed me off my tricycle, and we were friends ever since," said neighbor Chad Whitaker, 19, who graduated with Larsen in 2003 from Canyon High School. "He used to play jokes on everyone. He always made people laugh. He never got too serious."
Larsen had just returned to Iraq two weeks ago, after surprising his family with a visit home. While at home, he escorted his younger sister, Canyon High senior Haley Larsen, 17, to the homecoming dance.
By Sunday, Army officials had still not published a confirmation of Larsen's death or details, only that Larsen had been on a Humvee heading toward Fallujah, where heavy fighting began earlier in the week. The family was notified Saturday morning, friends said.
A spokeswoman for the Army contacted on Sunday said she could not release any more details, pending clearance from the U.S. Department of Defense.
Friends said Cole was excited about joining the military. "When (Cole) first graduated from high school, he was really excited to go to boot camp," Whitaker said. "A lot of us are in disbelief. Everyone keeps denying it. It's like this is a dream."
Neighbors said the family was still processing the news. A candle had been placed on the Larsen porch with an anonymous note that said Cole Larsen would be missed.
In an area that was built only 16 years ago, where most young families all moved in at the same time, it wasn't too hard not to know Cole Larsen.
"Our sons grew up together," said neighbor Lynnette Whitaker. "From when he was a little boy, he wanted to join the Army. We all knew each other. We'd all sit on the porch and watch and discipline each other's kids."
Neighbors Whitaker and Barbara Dallis said Larsen loved being in the outdoors. He went hunting with his father, Ballard.
"He and his dad were like two peas in a pod," Dallis agreed.
This is the second war casualty in less than a month in Santa Clarita.
Late last month, 19-year-old Lance Cpl. Richard Patrick Slocum, a 2003 graduate of Saugus High school, was killed in Iraq in a Humvee accident. Slocum. Slocum was the first local casualty on military duty there.
Susan Abram, (661) 257-5257
susan.abram@dailynews.com
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web:
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20041117-1549.html Media contact: Army Public Affairs - (703) 692-2000 Public contact:
http://www.dod.mil/faq/comment.html or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1
No. 1179-04
IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 17, 2004
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Cole W. Larsen, 19, of Canyon Country, Calif., died Nov. 13 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a civilian vehicle struck his military vehicle causing it to roll over. Larsen was assigned to the 272nd Military Police Company, 21st Theater Support Command, Mannheim, Germany.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000