Andrew Daul remembered

At a time of the year when most people are rejoicing, one Brighton Town-ship family is grieving after learning one of their own was killed in Iraq Tuesday.

Army Spc. Andrew Daul, 21, was killed when an improvised explosive device went off near his Abrams tank near Hit, Iraq. His parents, Michael and Kathy, received the news later that evening, when military personnel visited their home.

"I always pictured that it could happen, and even still hoped they were (here) for some other reason," Michael Daul said. "I think we both hit the floor at the same time."

The fallen soldier's family is remembering him as a heroic, strong, patriotic and brave young man who was into bodybuilding and loved to travel.

"I think he liked military life," his father said. "I think he was well-suited for it. He believed in what he was doing."

Kathy Daul said her son started raising the possibility of one day joining the armed forces when he was 15 or 16. Just a few days after graduating from Brighton High School in 2003, he was off to basic training.

Andrew Daul, who was in his second tour of duty in Iraq when he died, was with the 1st Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, based in Friedberg, Germany.

No funeral or memorial plans were set as of Thursday, but the Dauls said they hope to bury their son at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

His parents said they knew he could be called off to war at any moment, but, once he was over there, they felt he would still be safe.

The last time Andrew Daul talked to his family was Saturday; the last time they were all in the same room was almost a year ago.

"He was very excited," his mother said of their recent phone conversation. "He was very looking forward to coming home. He was driving his tank, which is what he wanted to do. I know that when the good Lord took him, he was happy."

Andrew Daul's enlistment was up in July and his father said he had a job as an environmental consultant lined up.

But his ultimate dream was to open a weightlifting studio.

Andrew Daul could bench press 475 pounds and his mother remembers that his weightlifting days going back to high school.

"He would walk throughout the high school and he would be pumping these milk jugs full of water ... that's kind of how I picture him and remember him and how many of his classmates remember him," said his mother, as a smile flashed across her face. "Always to the extreme."

His father said he is proud of his son.

"We're heartbroken, but we're incredibly proud of that young man and what he has done," he said. "He's the kind of son I think that every parent would like to have. He was truly the all-American boy."

This year's Christmas will be extra somber for those who knew Andrew Daul.

"I don't think there will be much of a Christmas this year," Kathy Daul said. "We'll honor Jesus Christ, we'll go to our midnight mass, but as far as truly getting into the commercial aspect of all of that, that probably very definitely will be put aside and the next couple weeks will be strictly in honor of Andrew."

His family — which includes sisters Lindsey and Audrey, and a girlfriend in Germany — will continue to root for and support the soldiers and war effort.

And his father issued some advice for parents:

"Fathers, mothers," Michael Daul said, "love your sons — hold them close. And your daughters, as well."

From the Daily Press

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