Wilson A. Algrim dies of injuries from I.E.D.

Donald and Judy Algrim still remember their son's first elevator ride. Wilson Algrim, then 8 years old and new to the United States, clung to the side. Wilson was rattled by the sudden movement, and his face expressed both joy and anguish.

"That was more like a roller-coaster ride,'' Donald Algrim said Wednesday, smiling.

That sentence could describe Wilson's life.

U.S. Army National Guard Pfc. Wilson A. Algrim, 21, of Livingston County's Marion Township, died Saturday in Salman Pak, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations, the military announced Wednesday. Spc. Chad J. Vollmer, 24, of Grand Rapids and Pvt. Bobby Mejia II of Saginaw also died in the blast. The three soldiers were assigned to the First Battalion, 125th Infantry from Big Rapids.

Wilson is at least the sixth area soldier to be killed in Iraq this year and the 12th since the war began. His death came just four days after another Livingston County resident, Army Spc. Andrew P. Daul, 21, of Brighton, was killed.

Wilson's funeral will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2515 W. Grand River Ave., in Howell. Arrangements have yet to be made.

Adopted from Colombia as a child with his brother and two sisters, Wilson experienced plenty of ups and downs. Lately, though, his life had been steadily ascending above the troubles of his youth.

Wilson's childhood "lacked direction,'' his father said. Without a high school diploma, Wilson in 2004 entered the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy in Battle Creek, a 22-week residential program affiliated with the National Guard. The program is geared toward at-risk children.

Wilson excelled there, Donald Algrim said, winning an award for athleticism, graduating after many of his peers had dropped out and finding the life purpose he longed for.

"It was really great,'' Donald Algrim said. "When your child doesn't have direction, then finds it, it brings a lot of joy.''

Donald Algrim said his son joined the Michigan National Guard, hoping to go to Iraq . He got his wish in August.

"It was a big step for him. He wanted to go to Iraq and fight for freedom. That was one of his big goals. I'm really glad he made that decision, even though I'm sad about what happened.''

Donald Algrim said the death "has left a big hole in our family,'' but he said he's proud of his son.

"We all know we're over there fighting for freedom, and it comes at a heavy price,'' Donald Algrim said. "In this case, it was my son's life. I'm thankful for what he's done.''

Because of their adoption, Wilson Algrim and his siblings, Janét, 19, Jason, 17, and Lisa, 15, maintained a special bond. The Algrims adopted them from Colombia in 1993 because Judy had lived in the country for a while.

"Every day was an adventure,'' Donald Algrim said. "I don't think any two days were ever alike.''

The family moved to the Howell area in 2000. There, Wilson developed a love for basketball and grew in his Christian faith, his family said.

Janét remembers her brother as someone who overcame struggles and fought for the things he believed in.

"I just feel proud to have him as my brother,'' she said. "We need freedom in our country, and the only way to do that is to have people like my brother. It takes a man to do that. And he was a man.''

From the Ann Arbor News