It is with great sadness that we announce that William Tracy was among those killed in an Army helicopter crash in Kuwait on February 25, 2003.

  William, son of Diane Childs and grandson of Foster Edward Childs, grew up in Webster, New Hampshire. He had attended Merrimack Valley High School, and is said to have loved the outdoors - fishing, canoeing, etc. He would have been 28 years old on Febraury 26.

  He had served first in the Marine Corps, and then transferred to the Army in 1999. He had been stationed in Germany and Italy before having recently been among those sent to Kuwait.

 William was one of four men aboard the UH60 Black Hawk during night exercises when the crash occurred, about 30 miles out of Kuwait City. The exact cause is pending an investigation, but it is believed to have been the result of a severe sandstorm. That area is known for its sweltering temperatures come summer. Sandstorms, with winds up to 60-mph, are not uncommon, especially during March and April .

  The other three men on board the helicopter were: Specialist Rodrigo Gonzalez-Garza of Texas; Chief Warrant Officer Timothy Moehling of Florida, and Chief Warrant Officer John Smith of Nevada.

 Memorial services were held at air bases in Italy, Germany, and Kuwait to remember those lost. Both Chief Warrant Officer John Smith and Specialist William Tracy had volunteered to continue duty in Kuwait, though replacements had arrived from Germany. At a memorial service held at Camp Udairi, Kuwait, Maj. Chris Speer said "Both of these guys volunteered to be (here). That speaks volumes about them."

  New Hampshire House Speaker Gene Chandler and Gov. Craig Benson called for flags to be flown at half-staff, which they were from the Friday after the crash, until that Tuesday. In regard to Specalist Tracy, Gov. Benson announced, "New Hampshire is proud of his service."