Crescenta Valley High Graduate, 22, Killed in Iraq

By Mary O'Keefe



On Sunday a Crescenta Valley family received the news that their son, Nick Steinbacher, serving in Iraq, had been killed during a night patrol on Dec. 10. He had just celebrated his 22nd birthday on Dec. 8.

"We've changed the doorbell since then," the soldier's brother, Dan Steinbacher, said Tuesday. He explained that his mother didn't want to hear the sound of the bell again as it only reminded her of the arrival of the horrible news.

Nick Steinbacher, a 2003 graduate of Crescenta Valley High School, entered the United States Army First Calvary Infantry division on Dec. 24, 2004. He was deployed to Iraq on Oct. 29 of this year. According to information provided by the military, Nick was on a night patrol with members of his company when a roadside bomb went off near his Humvee.

"His skydiving instructor contacted us. He said he died securing his company's safety," Dan said. "We also got an e-mail from one of the guys in his company. He said that Nick was the spirit of their company." The soldier that e-mailed the family had been injured in the same attack and had lost a leg from the knee down.

The family does not have information on the rest of the members of Nick's company but has been told there were some who were injured but survived.

"My heart is broken but my heart goes out to the guys still there," Dan said. "I don't know their names but they have really taken some major hits and they have a long road to home. Nick's done. He doesn't have to worry about it anymore."


Nick's parents, Carolyn and Paul Steinbacher, graduated from Crescenta Valley High School. Their sons Nick and Dan followed suit. The Steinbachers' youngest son, Kirk, is a CVHS senior. Paul, Dan and Nick all played football at CVHS. At one point, Dan was coaching, Nick was playing and Paul was in the stands.

"Nick played football all four years. Dad played football at CVHS and Nick wore his number," Dan said. "He was proud to be able to wear the number 51. I wore it, too."

The school is feeling the loss of one of their own. The flag in front of the school is being flown at half staff.

"We are just devastated, the parents are close to the school," said Mike Livingston, CVHS co-principal. "Nick's dad graduated my first year here [in 1974]."

Co-principal Linda Evans said the Steinbacher family has been very active with the school. At one point during the conversation she paused and looked away. "I can hear his voice right now," she said.

Once someone met Nick he was easily remembered, according to his older brother. He was social and extremely well liked. "He got in and out of trouble quicker than anyone I know," Dan said.

Although he was very social and pragmatic, at the core was a fierce dedication and sense of responsibility to his beliefs, his brother said.

"I don't feel the world is black and white, but for him [it was] put his money where his mouth is [by going to Iraq]. He felt he was right. He was not a person who would sit back and let things happen. We are very proud of that," Dan said.

Nick had planned on joining the Special Operations division and then, when he returned to the United States, wanted to join law enforcement. He was a natural leader and had a strong bond with his company of soldiers.

"When he was here on leave [a few months ago] he was calling people [in his company], making certain they made their plane," Dan said.

Although still trying to come to terms with their loss, the family is trying to focus on the energy Nick brought to life.

"One thing my brother loved to do is skydive. He started doing it [in the Army] training. The first time he jumped, he broke his leg, but he loved it," Dan said. "He wanted us all to go. We may do it as a family to honor him … we have a few pictures of him in his [skydiving] gear; he looks elated, he just wanted everyone to do it. That is what we are focusing on — [images] of him just falling free."

The family also wanted to express their thanks to everyone in the community who has visited their home this week with pictures and stories.

"Anyone who has stories or pictures should stop by. We like hearing these stories," Dan said. "Sometimes you forget that we live in this small town, but a tragedy like this brings out the true nature of people. We are so blessed to have the support of La Crescenta, family and friends and the support from CVHS. This town is incredibly supportive."

Dan and his family wanted people to remember Nick for his life's energy and to live life to the fullest, like he did.

"He didn't sit back and watch life, he did life. He was not a passive observer. He made a big impact for being only 22."

A memorial service had not been set as of press deadline Wednesday.

Copyright © 2006 La Cañada Valley Sun

Killed in Iraq, local patriot knew danger but enlisted

BY TONY CASTRO, Staff Writer
LA Daily News

In Nicholas "Nick" Steinbacher's last e-mail from Iraq on Dec. 9, the soldier who had just turned 22 told his family he was feeling great and was excited to be in Iraq.

Steinbacher, an Army specialist who grew up in La Crescenta, had celebrated his birthday the previous day. He had been in Iraq just six weeks.

"Nick told his guys (Army buddies), `If I wasn't happy, I wouldn't be here,"' Steinbacher's older brother, Daniel, 23, said.

A day after the soldier sent the e-mail, he was traveling in a Humvee caravan patrolling a section of Baghdad when the unit ran into roadside bombs. Steinbacher - his family was notified this week - died in that attack.

On Wednesday, as his parents busied themselves with the logistics of having their son's body returned home, Daniel Steinbacher eulogized his brother as a modern American patriot willing to pay the ultimate price for his country.

"He was proud to go to Iraq," Daniel Steinbacher said. "Nick couldn't stand being on the outside of the action. He didn't like the idea of somebody else doing something that he could be doing, too. He thought there was a job to do over there and that it was his duty to do it."

Had it been up to Nicholas Steinbacher, he would have enlisted right after graduation from Crescenta Valley High School, where he had lettered in football four years and been the starting center his senior year, his brother said.

"Nick wanted to be a police officer and had scored really high on his military-aptitude tests and was getting all kinds of (military) recruiting letters, but our parents persuaded him to go to college for a couple of years," Daniel Steinbacher said.

"He truly lived life in the moment," his mother, Carolyn Steinbacher, said.

Just a few credits shy of his Associate of Arts degree from College of the Canyons, Nicholas Steinbacher enlisted in the Army. He did his basic training at Fort Bragg, Ga., and infantry training at Fort Hood, Texas, where he was stationed until his deployment.

"Nick had enlisted in special-forces training," his older brother said, "but during airborne training he'd broken a leg on his first jump, and that had taken him out of special forces and got him into infantry.

"But he loved doing what he was doing. He had gotten a military package. He was going to have money to go to college, and he had the G.I. Bill, and he saw it as a way to prepare to be a police officer if that's what he wanted to do."

His family was nervous when he was heading to war-torn Iraq, but he knew his mother and brothers - Daniel and Kirk, 18 - could draw on experience in coping with anxiety about a loved one's work.

"My dad (Paul) is a Los Angeles firefighter," Daniel Steinbacher said. "We're used to dealing with a certain level of stress just from that.

"But the more nervous we got for Nick, as time for him to go got near, the more excited he got. He was proud to be going."

News of the death quickly circulated in the tightly knit La Crescenta community.

"We're extremely lucky to have the support of our community, the high school, our family, friends and the firefighter community," Daniel Steinbacher said as he cherished memories of his brother, who "loved fishing and the outdoors," having fun.

"We camped out a lot growing up, and that's what he loved to do. He loved to fish with his grandfather and with his buddies.

"Mom had said to him that, being where he was, he might want to take advantage of some of the fishing. ... But he said, `No, I want to come home and fish with my buddies."'

Funeral services are pending.

The death has not shaken confidence among Nicholas' family and friends that he was glad he enlisted, Daniel said.

"Nick's heroes were George Bush and Bill O'Reilly," Daniel said. "He didn't discount the fact that he might re-enlist and possibly make the military a career."

tony.castro@dailynews.com

(818) 713-3761

Copyright © 2006 Los Angeles Newspaper Group

These were his heros? They are going to die for these heros. All of them after they have been dragged through that hell of irresponsible insanity. And this nation of the brave will allow them to waste away of the poisons they have lived and breathed and killed in. They will lose their magnetic 'Support Out Troops" ribbons.
Bastards.

Crowd turns out to honor soldier

Nicholas Steinbacher, 22, was killed in a bomb attack in Iraq; hundreds line streets to pay their respects.
By Anthony Kim

LA CRESCENTA — Hundreds of people lined the streets of La Crescenta on Wednesday, silently waving their flags in honor of a local soldier who died while fighting in Iraq.

Army Spc. Nicholas Steinbacher, 22, died from injuries suffered from a bomb that detonated near him in Baghdad on Dec. 10. Steinbacher was a La Crescenta resident who attended Crescenta Valley High School.

A hearse led the funeral procession from Crippen Mortuary to St. James the Less Catholic Church on Dunsmore Avenue for Steinbacher's funeral service.

"My brother Nick did what he believed in and was proud to do it," older brother Daniel Steinbacher said. "He lived his life to the fullest and that's all anyone can really ask for from anyone's life."

Steinbacher's godmother, Kerry Milbrodt, remembered that same commitment.

"He went over there with confidence and with dedication and a purpose," Milbrodt said. . "He was proud to go and to help protect all of us. And he was full of life, so full of life, and honor. He was a great guy."

As the hearse slowly drove north on Pennsylvania Avenue and west on Foothill Boulevard, members of the community and merchants came out to offer their respects.

"Nick was a great guy," Lance Cpl. Robert Larsen said. "He did what he believed in doing and he volunteered for it. Everybody in the service volunteers for it. So he knew what he was doing, what he's getting into…. I can't really say he's in a better place now, but he's watching our backs now. We thank him for that."

Larsen, who had attended school with Steinbacher since kindergarten, saluted the procession. Others stood by in silence as the cars passed.

"We're honoring their family and their son who died for us in Iraq," La Crescenta resident Debbie Morrow said.

---

ANTHONY KIM is a reporter for the Glendale News-Press. He may be reached at (818) 637-3238 or by e-mail at anthony.h.kimlatimes.com.

Fallen Soldier Honored

By Mary O'Keefe

At about 2 p.m. on Wednesday, the foothills fell silent in honor of fallen soldier Nick Steinbacher.

From Crippen Mortuary on Honolulu Avenue to St. James The Less Catholic Church on Dunsmore Avenue, crowds of people of all ages and from all walks of life lined the streets holding flags and standing in a solemn tribute to one of this area's own. They were there to witness the hearse carrying the young soldier to the church, where a funeral mass began at 3 p.m.

Steinbacher, 22, became the 300th Californian killed in Iraq when he suffered fatal wounds from an explosion during a night patrol. According to a spokeswoman at Fort Hood where he was based, Steinbacher was killed on Dec. 10 while serving in Baghdad after an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee vehicle.

Wednesday's tribute was pulled together quickly and was achieved by neighbors calling neighbors and mothers e-mailing other mothers to get the word out.

Evidence that Steinbacher's life and service to his country made an impact to the community could be seen in the faces of those who lined the streets.

"It just broke my heart. I mean I pray every day for these guys but to actually have one from your own community, even though we don't know the family, it just [feels] so minor to be here but it's respect for the country, and the young man and his family," said participant Cathleen Wortmann, as she clutched the American flag.

Everyone interviewed Wednesday said the lining of the streets was a gesture to honor Steinbacher's service and to show their gratitude for his family's sacrifice.

"I went to school with Nick since elementary school," said Robert Larsen, a Marine who stood alongside others and saluted the hearse as it passed by. "We played football together."

Larsen served in Iraq from January to August of this year. When asked if he was going to have to go back to the war-torn country, he replied, "I hope not."

Steinbacher had joined the Army in Dec. 2004 and was deployed to Iraq in late October. He was an infantryman and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division since June 2005. He had just celebrated his birthday on Dec. 8.

Steinbacher, a 2003 graduate of Crescenta Valley High School, made an impression at his school and in the community. He played football all four years of high school and was remembered by co-principals Linda Evans and Mike Livingston as someone difficult to forget. In fact, the entire family has strong links to the community and to the school.

The family got word of Steinbacher's death on Sunday, Dec. 10.

"My heart is broken," brother Dan said in an earlier interview with the Valley Sun. He added that his heart goes out to those soldiers that are still serving. "They still have a long road home."

Steinbacher's military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism (Service), Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge and the Weapon Qualification Badge-Expert (Rifle).

Beyond the military, beyond the football and the graduate, Steinbacher was a son and a brother who loved his family, respected his country and loved life.

"He didn't sit back and watch life. He made a big impact for being only 22," his brother Dan said.

Copyright © 2006 La Cañada Valley Sun

If this guy hadn't been killed or at least put out of action, he might have been a party to the killing of one or more Iraqis -- in addition to any whose deaths or injuries he might have been responsible for already.

He was fighting -- quite willingly -- on the wrong side and, since he showed no signs of changing (in fact planning to become a cop!), his death makes the world a safer place.

It seems that the editors at L.A. IMC have no problem with the glorification of someone who willingly fought for the U.S. Empire in its criminal war against the Iraqi people, but do have a problem with anything that goes against that glorification.

I encourage readers to click on "view hidden posts" at the top of this page and see what was hidden by the editors, particularly my own comment. I had been considering posting my complaint about this pro-imperialist censorship to other indymedia sites, but I'll wait until I see how the editors react to this before doing so.

* To encourage a world where globalization is not about homogeneity and exploitation, but rather, about diversity and cooperation.

* To seek out and provide coverage underscoring the global nature of people's struggles for social, economic, and environmental justice directly from their perspective.

* To cover local events that are ignored or poorly covered by corporate media.

* To provide edited audio, video, and print stories of the above on the internet for independent media outlets and the general public.

* To facilitate the networking and coordination for the coverage of local events as well as gather information about events to cover.

* To provide links to alternative media, activist, and research groups.

* To offer community classes for training in internet and media skills.

* To encourage, facilitate, and support the creation of independent news gathering and organizations.

thanks for serving our great country, my heart goes out to the family he was to young to go, to many young men and women have been taken by this war, i will pray for your family please contact me by email god bless. joe.