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Friends, family honor soldier killed in Iraq
Army Pfc. Louis E. Niedermeier, known to friends as "Tank,' couldn't wait to serve his country after the Sept. 11 attacks.
By SHANNON TAN
Published June 14, 2005
LARGO - They sat inside the darkened American Legion Post 119 building Tuesday, laughing and crying as photos of Army Pfc. Louis E. Niedermeier flashed on the screen. Raising their glasses, they toasted the 20 years they had with the devoted son, friend and soldier they knew as "Tank."
"If Louis were here today, he would not want us to be sad," said his uncle, Army Sgt. 1st Class Charles Welsh. "Let's celebrate his new life and one day we'll walk with our brother again."
Earlier, more than 300 family members, friends and strangers gathered at the Military Court of Honor at Largo Central Park to remember a man who couldn't wait to serve his country after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Niedermeier, 20, of Largo, was killed June 1 in Ramadi, Iraq, when his unit, which was conducting combat operations, came under enemy small arms fire. He left behind his parents, stepfather, stepsister, fiancee and dozens of relatives, many who are in the military.
He will be buried Friday at Arlington National Cemetery with full honors.
"America can sleep in peace tonight because of heroes like Louis Niedermeier," said Congressman Bill Young, R-Indian Shores.
See tomorrow's Times or sptimes.com for the full report.
[Last modified June 14, 2005, 17:54:02]
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