Kiel Holds Vigil for Krueger

From the Gannett Wisconsin Papers...

Candles held high, Jill Reifsnider and Kristin Thayer hugged and sobbed Sunday night as they paid tribute to and honored the memory of their friend and fallen soldier, Staff Sgt. Amy Krueger.

About 300 friends, family members, military personnel and veterans, as well as the Patriot Riders motorcycle escorts, were among those gathered at Kiel's Veterans Park to remember the woman who was killed Thursday at Fort Hood, Texas, at the hands of a fellow soldier.

"We all need to live life to the fullest … just as 'Kruegs' did," Thayer said of the 29-year-old Kiel native who enlisted with her after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"She is looking down at us from heaven … you are the definition of a true American hero," Thayer said.

On Tuesday Krueger reported to the Texas base where she was to receive final training before active duty deployment to Afghanistan next month.

"Proud Uncle of a United States Soldier," read Dan Krueger's T-shirt. His niece had several dozen made for aunts, uncles and cousins prior to her 2003 Operating Enduring Freedom tour of duty in Afghanistan.

"She was a great kid, very enthusiastic, could brighten up a room but also was pretty focused," he said. "She was a role model for the younger cousins."

"When I told two of my children last Friday morning that Amy had been killed, they didn't want to go to school and take the WKCE tests," said Brenda Krueger, wearing a "Proud Aunt" T-shirt.

"But I told them that Amy always said you need to do what needs to be done and you always do your best," she said.

Many of those at the candlelight vigil, which included a silent procession from the Gravel Pit Bar & Grill to Veterans Park, were teammates of Krueger, who played four sports at Kiel High School, where she graduated with the class of 1998.

"She played third base and was damn good at it," said softballer Becky Kraemer.

"She was the best friend you could ever have and was always making you laugh," said Erin Biebermeier, who was on softball and swimming squads with the soldier.

Kiel's Dave Martini, who served in the Army from 1974 to 1982, was at the vigil, but didn't know the staff sergeant.

"She was another veteran, so you have to come to show your respect," he said.

About 50 Patriot Riders came to Kiel from Milwaukee, Green Bay and several other cities.

In related news, ABC News reports the CIA and other American intelligence agencies was aware the shooter at Fort Hood had been trying to contact Al Qaeda via electronic means.  No one knows if these agencies informed the Army about this finding.