Army Sgt. Dariek E. Dehn

Died June 2, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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32, of Spangle, Wash., assigned to 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died June 2 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device.

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Family remember soldier killed in Iraq

The Associated Press

During his last visit home on leave, Army Sgt. Dariek E. Dehn told close relatives about the danger of military service in Iraq and some close calls he’d had.

“That was kind of his way of preparing if something was to happen,” said his sister, Sherri Jeske. “We were just thankful to spend the time that we did with him.”

Dehn, 32, of Spangle, Wash., was killed June 2 in Sharqat, Iraq, by an explosive. He was a 1993 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas.

“We will always remember Dariek for his awesome sense of humor and contagious smile,” his family said in an obituary. “He was compassionate and caring and always wore his heart on his sleeve.”

He liked playing sports and snowboarding, but he didn’t really find direction in his life until enlisting in the Army six years ago, Jeske said. “The Army formed a direction for him, he was really proud of being a soldier,” she said.

He enlisted in 2002 and served in Korea, where he met his future wife, Mannylyn. “We’re very proud of Dariek. He’s always had an awesome sense of humor and a contagious smile,” said his sister.