12/20/2006 GAAS:895:06 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Death of La Crescenta Soldier: Spc. Nicholas P. Steinbacher
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Spc. Nicholas P. Steinbacher of La Crescenta, CA:
“As a proud member of the United States Army, Spc. Steinbacher set an example of courage and determination that all Californians can admire. Maria and I send our condolences to Nicholas’ loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
Steinbacher, 22, died Dec. 10 as a result of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV in Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX.
In honor of Spc. Steinbacher, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff. |
| From the North
County Times, California 12/31/06:
Thousands turn out to honor fallen California soldier
By: Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- When thousands turned out to watch the funeral procession for fallen Army Spc. Nicholas P. Steinbacher, his suffering family felt a tremendous sense of community support.
On Dec. 20, Steinbacher's funeral procession slowly traveled from Crippen Mortuary to St. James the Less Catholic Church, and thousands from his hometown of La Crescenta lined the 21/2-mile route.
Veterans, firefighters, police officers, local merchants and former classmates and friends held American flags and stood in silence as the motorcade passed.
"It was phenomenal. In the middle of a Wednesday just before the holidays, people with plenty to do turned out to pay their respects," said Steinbacher's father, Paul. "It was a comfort for the family and a tribute to my son."
Steinbacher was killed Dec. 10 when a bomb exploded near his Humvee while he was on a night patrol in Baghdad. He had turned 22 just two days before.
Steinbacher was assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Calvary Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas.
He is among 305 U.S. service members from California who have been killed in Iraq, according to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, which compiles Defense Department statistics. The state has had the most military fatalities in the war since it began in March 2003.
Steinbacher joined the Army in December 2004, a few credits short of earning an associate in arts degree from College of the Canyons.
"He did not like injustices," his father said. "After 9/11, he felt there were things that needed to be done. He wanted to enlist right away, but we wanted him to go to college for a couple of years. It was a well-thought-out choice." |
