~ Louis Kim
~
Army Specialist Louis G. Kim died Feb. 20 in Ramadi, Iraq, when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire.Kim was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany. Kim was the first Los Angeles County native to be killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. As a young child Kim constantly moved around eventually ended up in West Covina and graduated from Los Altos High School, Class of '05. Though he was only here for a short time, he touched many people's lives. Teachers remember him as always being a gentleman and he valuing genuine human interaction and loyalty.
Kim joined the army after turning 18. His family supported his decision because he "regularly talked about a military career with friends and played soldiers as a child, carrying a gun and singing army songs, said his mother, Bridget Shin." As one of his former teachers, Shalom Montgomery recalls, "I had several conversations with him about his desire to enlist in the army. I was stubbornly insistent of the perils of that choice. Louis was just as firm in his insistence that the life of a solider is noble and rjust. He was clear about his duty after high school."
When Louis joined the army, he still kept his great sense of humor and love of life. He was great soldier. All of his friends in his unit love him, and their loss is great. It is not everyday that someone touches lives that way that Louis G. Kim did. He was a constant glowing light. Now that he is gone, those who knew him can at least be content with the fact that he is in a better place.
"Love your country, Live with pride
And don't forget those who died
America can't you see
All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all."