Service held for soldier killed in Iraq

CAMP TAJI, Iraq (AP) _ A 21-gun salute and the playing of taps marked a ceremony in Iraq for a soldier from Oklahoma who was killed by a sniper. <br/><br/>Specialist Lyle Rymer of Roland was killed Friday

Wednesday, February 2nd 2005, 10:14 am

By: News On 6

CAMP TAJI, Iraq (AP) _ A 21-gun salute and the playing of taps marked a ceremony in Iraq for a soldier from Oklahoma who was killed by a sniper.

Specialist Lyle Rymer of Roland was killed Friday while helping secure an area in central Baghdad in preparation for Sunday's national elections. Rymer was assigned to the 239th Engineer Company of the Arkansas-based 39th Infantry Brigade.

Platoon leader Lieutenant Brian Mason says Rymer's death is frustrating because the brigade is to return home soon. The 239th has completed more than 18-hundred missions around Baghdad and is to return home in about two months.

Rymer was born in Fort Smith and graduated from Roland High School in 1999.

He's survived by his wife, LaTisha, 2-year-old son, Sean, and 10-month-old daughter Jasmine. Jasmine was born as Rymer was on a plane heading for Kuwait in March and he saw only once, while home on two weeks leave in November.

Funeral services will be in Fort Smith.