Family and friends are mourning the loss of Fairfield High School graduate Nicholas Olivas.
The Defense Department hasn't said how the 20-year-old died.
Local 12 News Reporter Larry Davis spoke to people who knew Olivas.
I hate it for the family I hate it for his wife and child, knowing his daddy.
Susan Wagers and her husband lowered their American flag to half staff, soon after learning their neighbor, infantryman Nicholas Olivas was killed in Afghanistan.
In the front yard of the Fairfield home where he grew up, Olivas' proud mother had a sign proclaiming her son was army strong. Now, on the front door was a service banner bearing a gold star the designation for a family member who died serving his country. Susan Wagers had memories of Nicholas from over the years.
"He was a very very good child, you would see him catch the bus, driving a car and everything."
There was a somber mood today at Fairfield High School where Olivas graduated in 2010. Principal Billy Smith says the tragedy affects the entire community.
"In this case he's just a young man, married and, our heart breaks for his family"
Nicholas Olivas is the second Fairfield High School grad to die in the war on terror. Lance Corporal Taylor Prazynski died in Iraq in 2005. A memorial to the marine sits outside the school.
Back in the neighborhood where Olivas grew up, Susan Wagers remembered a young man who helped his mother and sisters and was a good neighbor.
"We got egged one time and he came over and helped me clean it up."
Wagers lost a brother in Vietnam and says she can sympathize with the Olivas family.
"It's very hard, he was a brave man."
Funeral arrangements are pending.
