James Lee Bridges remembered by teachers

BUHL, Idaho - An Idaho soldier killed in Iraq is being remembered for his ability to inspire his classmates at Buhl High School.

Spc. James Lee Bridges, 22, of Buhl was killed Saturday by enemy small-arms fire while on patrol in Baghdad, according to a press release from the Army's Fort Wainwright in Alaska. Bridges was an infantryman assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Fort Wainwright.

In high school, he was known as "Doug."

"He was one of my favorite students to have gone through the school," Shane Stockham, adviser to the Future Farmers of America, told The Times-News. "Doug was the kid that others went to when they had a bad day. He was an excellent student."

After graduating, Bridges joined the Army in July 2003.

"This is extremely sad," said Principal Mike Gemar. "It seems that I've known him forever. I believe he had been going to school in Buhl for a long time and in high school was involved in the FFA. He was well-liked by other students. James was a really pleasant kid."

Stockham, who taught Bridges all four years, said he was a good welder with great mechanical aptitude.

"With FFA, he brought so much enthusiasm when we went places," Stockham said. "If it was up in the mountains for a retreat, he was up early and stayed up late and made the events more fun for everyone.

"This is a tough one. It is such a sad loss to know that we won't get to see him come home."

Gemar said he has talked with Bridges' family in arranging a memorial service.

"I think they are doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances," Gemar said. "They are taking it one day at a time."

Bridges is at least the 18th person from Idaho to be killed in Iraq since the United States invaded in March 2003.

From the Salt Lake Tribune

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James Lee Bridges killed by small arms fire