Saluting a soldier
Hundreds attend funeral service

By Emanuel Parker, Staff Writer
San Gabriel Valley Tribune

ARCADIA - U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Colnot was described as a young man who knew what his life was about and thought he was making a difference by serving in Iraq.

Colnot, 23, of San Dimas and three other soldiers were killed April 22 in Baghdad when a bomb exploded near the Hummer they were riding in, causing a fire.

His funeral was held Saturday at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia. Colnot attended Arcadia High School part of his sophomore and junior years.

More than 300 people attended the service, including more than 100 members of the Patriot Guard Riders, flag-waving Vietnam vets who travel around California on motorcycles attending the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We want to pay our respects to what we refer to as a fallen hero and his family," said Jerry Zimmerman, a member of the group. He said the Riders attend a service every week somewhere in California.

The Rev. Roger Sonnenberg said as far as Colnot was concerned, life "was about service and making a difference. He was motivated by the satisfaction of serving. If you're not willing to lay down your life, you don't belong in the military."

Colnot's dress uniform hung on a rack behind his flag- draped coffin as music played and photographs depicting his life flashed on a screen.

They showed him as a blond infant and teen, playing with friends, siblings and his parents, fishing, swimming, playing his guitar, in Halloween outfits, posing next to his car and, finally, with fellow soldiers in Iraq.

As he matured, his hair went from blond to brown and he acquired several tattoos. Colnot joined the Army in May 2000 and served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

He re-enlisted in July 2004, knowing he would likely be sent to Iraq, which he was in November. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 67th Armored Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.

In 2002, the family suffered another tragedy when Colnot's 17-year-old sister, Korra Jean Colnot, was killed while riding in her 20-year-old boyfriend's car during an illegal street race in Ontario, according to police.

Denise Colnot, Kyle's mother, said her son's death has not dampened her support for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Following the hourlong service, Colnot was buried with military honors at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, Covina Hills.

In an interview last week, Denise Colnot said: "It's important to remember he gave his life, he did not lose it."

emanuel.parker@sgvn.com

(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4475.

Copyright © 2006 Los Angeles Newspaper Group

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Caption for first photo:
Denise Colnot walks behind the casket with her son's remains during funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

Denise Colnot walks behind the casket with her son's remains during Funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

Funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

Funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

Colnot's uniform and casket before the services. Funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

The Patriot guard ride to the grave side. Funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

Kris Colnot, brother of Kyle says goodbye. Funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

A man stands next to the hearse and casket after the services. Funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

Pictures of Kyle through the years. Funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

Pictures of Kyle through the years. Funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

Pictures of Kyle through the years. Funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

Pictures of Kyle through the years. Funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

The Patriot guard stand at attention as the casket is carried away at the Funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

The Patriot guard stand at attention as the casket is caried away. Funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

A later photo of Kyle in uniform during the services. Funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

Funeral services for U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Arnold Colnot at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia May 6. 2006. Colnot was killed in Iraq on April 22 when a IED detonated near his hummer. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXCity)

This shameful blind patriotism w/out question is the reason for the failures in domestic and foreign policy right now.
Learn to think critically.

Hey jingoism you disgusting pig! I proudly served next to Kyle in Afghanistan for a year. Kyle was my friend and you disgust me, maybe our patriotism isn't blind, maybe we have a reason to serve. Even if we don't agree on foreign policy or politics, I find it hard to believe anyone could feel they are intelligent leaving something like that on a memorial page for someone who gave their life in the service of their country. Sgt. Kyle Colnot DIED in defense of Iraqi people who could not defend themselves, his life had meaning and he sacrificed much for: America, Afghanistan, and Iraq. What have you done for the world lately?

I went and removed the flamewar from the post, but left two up because one was from someone who knew the deceased, and it was a response to another post that wasn't *that* offensive, but was insensitive..

I suggest that stories about the dead should not be used as a forum for angry arguments.

There are exceptional situations, like the Pat Tilman friendly-fire-and-military-deception fiasco, but for the typical story, I'd rather go for a "respect the dead" policy. I would hate it if some family member searched for their relative and came across a flamewar. If IMCers or others have an issue with this, I can unhide everything and we can discuss.

after i finished basic trining, i left for the 25th id on Oahu, HI. the first soldier i met from the Cacti Battalion was Kyle Colnot. i remember him most because he showed me what was expected of a solider. Kyle ran my fresh basic trained ass up and down Duck Hill, on Schofield Barracks, untill i puucked. he never wavered. Colnot was not only a strong soldier but also a giving soldier. he gave strength to the men around him, he was steadfast and slow to temper. he was patient and understanding. i enjoyed our guard shifts together, we talked about home and girls, music and plans for the future. Kyle Colnot gave his life for his country, a country he is very proud of. i miss Colnot. America needs more young and determined men like him. people willing to give up there dreams and plans for the rights and dreams of lesser men. I hold men like Kyle in the highest regard. i trained with him in Hawaii, Japan, and Bangladesh. i serverd with him overseas in Afghanistan. i will always remember Kyle Colnot. i pray for strength and peace for Denise, Kyle's mother. i met her before and washed her dog after it was sprayed by a skunk. we talked late into the night. after many drinks, she asked me about her son, and i told her, there was no other soldier i would rather go to war with than her son. i remember a look on her face, one of sadness, but also of contentment. the impression i was left with was that she understood the importance of what we did and are still doing. that as soldier we defend america from injustice. we may fight for a flawed and greedy government but we, as soldiers, fight first and formost for the peoples of the United States. to defend them from the tyrannys of uncivilised cultures. i am not a clever man, but i know what Kyle and myself and many others have done throughout the world, has been done for good. Remember Kyle Colnot, and the many that came before and the many the that will follow.