Army Sergeant from San Dimas Killed in Iraq

SAN DIMAS -- Army Sgt. Kyle A. Colnot of San Dimas was killed in Baghdad, Iraq on April 22, when an improvised bomb detonated near the Humvee he was riding in with three other soldiers, who also were killed.

Colnot grew up in Arcadia and attended Arcadia High School before his family moved to San Dimas. Funeral services will he held Saturday at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia.

His mother, Denise Colnot, said the one thing she remembers most about her son was his bravery.

"Kyle was my hero," Colnot, 57, said Wednesday. "He was proud to serve and knew he may pay the ultimate price for freedom."

Army officials said the soldiers died supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom during combat operations.

The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 67th Armored Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division from Fort Hood, Texas.

"It's important to remember that (Kyle) gave his life, he did not lose it," Colnot said. "He reenlisted in the Army in July 2004, with full knowledge that he would likely be deployed to Iraq."

Funeral services will he held Saturday at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia.

"He loved his country and he would do anything for it," said Pastor Roger Sonnenberg of Our Savior Lutheran Church. "What was neat about Kyle was he felt he was really serving not only our country but serving and providing a new freedom for all the people in Iraq."

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