One Day In Iraq: One Last Message: STARCEVICH, LUCAS

STARCEVICH, LUCAS

Gillian Laub for TIME

Bradley Starcevich, father of fallen soldier, Lucas, sit in his home in St. Charles, Ill., with Lucas' sister Ariana Reyes. Before Lucas' death, his parents sent supplies to his squad in Iraq.

Age 25. Private first class, U.S. Army. 1st Battalion, 18th Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

IED blast, Baghdad

Civilian life just didn't suit Lucas Starcevich. He tried it in 2004 when he returned from his first tour in Iraq. He left the Army, worked different warehouse jobs, took some classes at the local junior college and spent afternoons skateboarding with friends on a homemade ramp at his father's house in St. Charles, Ill. But he had trouble sleeping and was restless.

Most of all, he couldn't focus on living there while his buddies were dying in Iraq. His...

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