Newport, Oregon
Nicholas J. Lightner was a football hero, but friends and family knew another side of the strong, quiet athlete. "Nick was a caretaker," said former school counselor Sandy Blackwell. "He was very nurturing and caring." Lightner, 29, of Newport, Ore., died March 21 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center of wounds suffered when an explosive detonated near his unit March 15 in Baghdad. He was assigned to Fort Hood. When Lightner''s close friend died in a car accident in their senior year, it was Lightner who looked out for his friend''s young sister and supported the family as they grieved. "I''m not surprised he became a medic," Blackwell said. "It brought together the two sides of him: the big, strong football player who could do almost anything with the compassionate young man with the big, caring heart." He is survived by his father and stepmother, Bill and Sheri Lightner. He planned to marry his girlfriend, Ginger Warfield. Warfield said Lightner called at least once a week and e-mailed her whenever he had the chance. "He always cared about everyone else before he cared about himself," she said.
To the family and friends of Sgt. Nicholas J. Lightner:
Please accept my remembrance of Nicholas on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.
Peggy Childers
March 21, 2012 | Carson City, NV
To the family and friends of Sgt. Nicholas J. Lightner:
Remembering Nicholas on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
www.IraqWarHeroes.org
Peggy Childers
March 21, 2011 | Carson City, NV
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you Doc...You are missed!
You are forever in our hearts and thoughts!
Brian Cook
March 21, 2011 | Fort Hood, TX
To the family of Sgt. Nicholas J. Lightner:
Please know that just as your loved one remains in your hearts and minds; his sacrifice, and that of your family, remains with the people he died defending. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for his bravery and selflessness, or the heartache we feel for your loss. God bless and keep you always.
L Neal
March 13, 2011 | NC
To the family of Sgt. Nicholas J. Lightner:
Nicholas gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org
Peggy Childers
March 21, 2009 | Carson City, NV
We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families. War does not discriminate – It breaks my heart to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,400 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com. ...
Kenna Larra
February 04, 2009 | Manti, UT
You are remembered and respected. Thank you Sgt Lightner!
June 22, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Kari Mason-Schaller
June 21, 2008 | Ashland, MO
There is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain or bring you peace in your time of sorrow, but I will offer you and your family my heart felt condolences. I also offer you my prayers that in time the pain will easy and the memories of your HERO will carry you through each day and night. I want to thank your HERO, for his/her selfless act of becoming a member of the armed forces, his/her willingness to defend the United States of America, all that we hold sacred and for the...
August 21, 2007
