Remembering a fallen West Mich. soldier

LOWELL, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – A West Michigan community is trying to come to grips with the loss of a local soldier.

Army Sergeant Lucas Beachnaw died Wednesday while serving in Afghanistan. He's from Lowell, and a graduate of the high school there.

Beachnaw was serving his second tour of duty in Afghanistan and had only been back in the region for about a month.

Friends of Beachnaw say the 2004 graduate of Lowell High School was a proud military man who also loved spending time with his friends and family back home.

"We just knew he was killed in action," said Beachnaw's friend Ryan Moore.

The sad news came Wednesday night, when Moore learned that his high school friend had been killed in Afghanistan.

"From what I understand it was a small arms fight," said Moore.

Ryan says Beachnaw was a fun loving guy who got along with everyone and loved the outdoors.

On Thursday, scores of friends left messages and memories on Beachnaw's Facebook page.

Moore says the 23-year-old Beachnaw leaves behind his mother, father, and two sisters.

While several of his classmates joined the military, Beachnaw is the only one that Moore knew in a war zone.

"I'm always worried for anybody in the military," said Moore. "You are not guaranteed tomorrow."

Funeral arrangements for Beachnaw are still being finalized. His Facebook memorial page can be found here.