Today's entry is heartbreaking to me. I am an older sister of a brother who was inlisted in the US Army in Airborne Infantry from the age of 19. I can't imagine how I would feel if I lost him in the line of duty! I just can't.

Keely Vasquez Lost her Brother Gary J Vasquez age 33. Sgt 1st Class Vasquez was stationed in Afganastan when he lost his life. Those of us who have been fans of Barry and have seen the shows have come to love and admire Keely and so I'd like to take this moment and let her know she and her family are in my prayers today. God is so good and he's the ultimate giver of comfort so I'm lifting she and her family up today.

God Bless You Keely
R. I. P. Sgt Vasquez

Sgt. 1st Class Gary J. Vasquez, 33, of Round Lake, Ill., was a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha senior engineer sergeant

Soldier from Highland killed by blast in Afghanistan

A soldier from Highland, who was on his third tour in Afghanistan, was killed Monday when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device.

Sgt. First Class Gary J. Vasquez, 33, enlisted about nine years ago and was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he lived with his wife, Sarah Vasquez.

"He loved his job. He was happy to be doing what he was doing," Vasquez's brother, Barry DuHasek, said. "He basically indicated that he always wanted to be a soldier,"

DuHasek said Vasquez had served in the 82nd Airborne Division and was an Airborne Ranger before he became a Green Beret of the U.S. Special Forces.

Vasquez was riding with Capt. Richard G. Cliff Jr., 29, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., and Sgt. First Class Jamie S. Nicholas, 32, of Maysel, W.Va., according to the Department of Defense. All died in Yakhchal, Afghanistan, from wounds from the explosion.

The three soldiers were Green Berets, assigned to the First Battalion, Seventh Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg.

The Defense Department listed Vasquez's home as Round Lake, Ill., but family members said Wednesday he was from Highland.

"His personality was larger than life," DuHasek said. "He was probably one of the funniest people I've ever met. He was my best friend and my brother."

Vasquez graduated from Highland High School in 1992, and earned a theater degree from Illinois State University, DuHasek said. He enjoyed reading and spending time with his dogs, Smash and Medea.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah; his mother, Margaret DuHasek, of Highland; his brother, Barry DuHasek, of Highland; and his sister, Keely Vasquez of Chicago.

Vasquez was preceded in death by his father, Frank Vasquez, a lieutenant colonel who served in Vietnam.

Arrangements for Vasquez are pending at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home, 101 Ninth St. in Highland.

U.S. officials have said violence in Afghanistan is up about 30 percent this year over 2007. More American soldiers -- 112 -- have died in the country so far this year than in any year since the 2001 invasion.

Contact reporter Maria Baran at mbaran@bnd.com or 239-2460. Contact reporter Jacqueline Lee at jlee@bnd.com or 239-2655.