Kyle A. Nolen slain by sniper

Cassie Nolen never wanted her husband, Navy medic Kyle Nolen to join the military, but it had been his dream since elementary school.

Mr. Nolen, an Ennis High School graduate, was killed Thursday morning when the military vehicle he was riding in went over a land mine in Al Anbar province in Iraq. He was 21.

Kyle Nolen is survived by his wife, Cassie, and two children. "I was scared for this reason," said Ms. Nolen, 21. "I am proud of him, and I supported him, but I would have chosen something different."

Mr. Nolen leaves behind two children, a son, Ryan, who's 3 and a 5-month-old daughter, Railey.

"He was the best father, friend, and friend anyone could ever ask for," she added. "He will always be the love of my life."

He and Ms. Nolen had planned to celebrate Christmas next spring because he wasn’t expected home until then.

Instead, Ms. Nolen said family members helped them celebrate Christmas at her mother’s home in Ennis on Monday.

Ryan got an airplane, a pirate ship and a card game and Railey got a pop-up tent.

Mr. Nolen graduated from Ennis High School in 2003. He joined the military in August of last year and was deployed to Iraq in August.

Ms. Nolen said he and some of his best friends made a pact in elementary school to join the military.

One of Mr. Nolen's best friends and second cousin, Corey Holy of Ennis, said, "He was always trying to better himself. He saw it as a better opportunity."

Mr. Holy did not enlist, but his brother Clint – also a best friend of Mr. Nolen's, joined the Air Force.Mr. Nolen's job as a medic was to try his best to save soldiers' lives before they were transported to a medical facility, his wife said.

With the same compassion he used to treat troops to help save lives in Iraq, he inspired First Baptist Church of Ennis to send care packages to his fellow battalion members.

Ms. Nolen, who communicated with her husband by mail every couple weeks, said he wished others serving in the military could receive letters and care packages.

The church began collecting items in October, and the first packages were sent out about Dec. 5, she said.

Mr. Nolen's mother, Frances Nolen of Ennis, described him as a "great son."

"He always thought about everybody and he loved his family," his mother said.

His father, Michael Nolen of Leonard, Texas, said he was proud of his son and wished he could fish with him one more time.

In addition to fishing, he said his son loved being with his family and playing soccer.

Ms. Nolen never wants her husband to be forgotten.

"I want people to know what he was fighting for and even if they don't support the war, I want them to support the troops," she said.

“He wanted everyone to have the same rights and freedoms that we have.”

Ms. Nolen and her children were living in Twentynine Palms, Calif., where her husband was based, but she plans to move to Ennis, where they are home for the holidays. She said she will move into a home the couple had built before Mr. Nolen enlisted.

Services are pending until Mr. Nolen’s body arrives in Ennis.

Mr. Nolen is also survived by sisters Angelica Nolen of Ennis; Mikayla Monjaras of Ennis; and Tori and Sarah Nolenof Carrollton; and a brother, Shea Nolen of Leonard.

From the Morning News