Wright's father said Kyle was a brave, professional soldier, fluent in Arabic. A passionate young man, Wright decided to join after 9-11. And that passion was evident at Romeoville High School as well.
"This is something I feel he really wanted to do...to serve his country and make us all proud. He had made his parents very proud of him," said Lindy Steeves, assistant principal Romeoville High School.
Wright graduated from Romeoville High in 2006. His picture, among other students, hangs on the assistant principal's wall. Wright visited her before leaving on a one-year deployment in July.
"He was excited to go. He was very excited. He felt he was well prepared," said Steeves.
"His dad was real proud of him and making that decision to go," said Richard Peterson, Romeoville High School.
Peterson works security at the high school. Wright, he says, was never a problem.
"Very serious about his education, polite, well-mannered young man," said Peterson.
Wright's death is felt in this southwest suburban town. At City Hall, the flags have been lowered to half staff. And at the family's home, a bumper sticker reads "My other car is a Stryker."
Wright was a member of the 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division based in Washington. The family's blue star in the window will now turn to gold as they the honor their son's Army roots. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
