Army Spc. Val J. Borm

Died June 14, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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21, of Sidney, Neb.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Infantry Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; died June 14 in Kirkuk, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed were Sgt. Derek T. Roberts and Spc. Farid Elazzouzi.

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Hawaii-based soldier from Nebraska killed in Iraq

The Associated Press

SIDNEY, Neb. — A Hawaii-based soldier from Sidney died in Iraq this week when a bomb exploded near the Humvee he was riding in, according to his family.

Val John Borm, 21, died in Iraq’s Kirkuk province after the explosion, his father Larry Borm said June 15.

Borm was serving as an infantryman in B Company, 2nd Battalion, with the 35th Infantry. The unit is based at Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

The military reported June 15 that three U.S. soldiers died when a bomb exploded near their vehicle June 14 during operations in Kirkuk province, in northern Iraq. Another soldier was wounded in the blast.

The military did not release the names of the soldiers killed or wounded in the explosion, so their families could be notified first.

Borm graduated from Sidney High School in 2005 and enlisted in the Army in August 2005.

Borm’s father said his son enjoyed his Army service. Borm said his son liked to play computer games in his free time, and the younger Borm was also an avid paintball competitor.

Borm is survived by his father, mother Lolita and younger sister Kimberly.

Borm was the second Hawaii-based soldier to die in Iraq this week. Pfc. Casey S. Carriker, 20, of Hoquiam, Wash., died June 13 from non-combat injuries. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, at Schofield Barracks.

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Family, friends remember soldier killed in Iraq

The Associated Press

Army Spc. Val J. Borm began working at a Safeway Food & Drug store at age 16. He carried out groceries and worked as a checker until he graduated from high school and joined the Army.

He stopped by the store about eight months ago to visit when he was home on leave. Rose Gray, a manager, described Borm as hardworking and helpful.

“We’re going to miss him,” she said.

Borm, 21, of Sidney, Neb., was killed by a roadside bomb June 14 in Kirkuk, Iraq. He was assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Borm was born in the Philippines and moved to Sidney with his family in 2000. He graduated high school in 2005 and enlisted later that summer.

Borm’s father, Larry, said his son enjoyed his Army service. He said his son liked to play computer games in his free time and was an avid paintball competitor.

After Borm’s family was notified of his death, word spread quickly through the Panhandle town of 6,500. “Everyone feels the impact of this, and our hearts go out to the family,” said Sidney City Manager Gary Person.

He also is survived by his mother, Lolita.

“We are here today to honor a real hero,” Maj. Gen. Robert W. Mixon said during funeral services.