McAllen soldier dies in Afghanistan
McALLEN — Kurt Kern, 24, of McAllen has died while serving as a military police officer in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.
Family members at Kern’s home said Wednesday afternoon they did not want to comment yet and asked a reporter to return today.
Childhood friend Olivia Tamez described Kern as having a heart of gold. The two knew each other from their time in elementary, middle and high school. They parted ways after their graduation in 2006 but would catch up whenever they ran into each other, Tamez said.
“The last time I spoke to him he proudly told me that he had joined the military and was looking forward to serving,” Tamez said. “When I heard of his passing earlier today, I was genuinely shocked.
“I hear about soldiers dying in combat in the news every day but when it happens to someone you personally know, it’s very hard to swallow, especially such a nice person like him.”
Kern graduated from McAllen Memorial High School in 2006, said Mark May, spokesman for the McAllen Independent School District.
“The McAllen ISD family has lost one of its own,” Superintendent Jose Ponce said in a written statement. “Kurt Kern, a 2006 graduate of McAllen Memorial High School, has passed away while serving his country overseas in the U.S. Armed Forces.”
Bill Littleton, head coach at McAllen Memorial High School for nine years, remembered Kern as a good kid who worked hard at school and played hard on the football field.
“He played fullback, and we also had him at the defensive line,” Littleton said. “You hate it anytime one of our soldiers dies, especially a young person who played with us. He was a good person. He wanted to better himself and keep his country free.”
Members of America’s Last Patrol are scheduled to meet with the Kern family today to pay their respects and offer their services, said commander Ricardo Peña.
The Last Patrol offers a flag-raising ceremony and offers to assist the family with immediate needs and final arrangements.
Kern’s death comes three months after three other Rio Grande Valley natives died while serving in the military, two in Afghanistan and one in Iraq.
Brownsville native U.S. Army 1st Lt. Andres “Andy” Zermeño was killed in Afghanistan on Sept 25. The Defense Department stated Zermeño died in Wardak province of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with a rocket-propelled grenade. Zermeño was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, La.
Army Sgt. Rudolfo “Rudy” Rodriguez of Weslaco died Sept. 14, also in Afghanistan. Authorities reported he died from injuries sustained in the explosion of an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
Army Sgt. Estevan Altamirano of Edcouch died Sept. 18 in Iraq. Authorities said Altamirano died of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
