Young Life Lost

" There he was reportedly the first victim shocked. And the youngest to die in Thursday's shooting rampage at Fort Hood nineteen year old private first class Aaron Thomas. -- the Malcolm. Of -- known to his fellow soldiers ads milkman. He joined the army last year and just completed explosives training and was preparing to go overseas for his first tour of duty today. Milk -- family and friends are remembering his pride for his family his pride for his country. His his uncle. Mike blades joins us live now on and Mike -- you watch much of you can see these live pictures and first of all our hearts go out to you. And your family for your loss and I know -- also in the military and -- C. This outpouring at Fort Hood I I just like you get your thoughts."

" It's outstanding. -- it's the army is this it almost like a big semi end. And that should receive that. Coming about --"

" You know and I know that I know that -- was the youngest of four kids he was the youngest victim. Of this attack. I'm what do you want us to know about your nephew Mike."

" I'm Aaron just you're just a happy kid can't be. You love life -- there's dedicated to everything that he did it again. He was very very close to his -- going. You have to friends and it was very hard for and cute as the hardest decision. -- him. It's like military -- it's just friends and family."

" Yet you talk about a hard decision to go in the military to leave your family to know that you're going overseas and it wasn't just the decision to go in the military about -- and also. Made the decision to take upon one of dean most dangerous jobs in the military which is the this arming explosives. What kind of tenacity what kind of intestinal fortitude. That does a guy have to do that."

" Well I think it's because he. He cared so much about whether -- does seem. All the things that we're going on in eat he wanted to do and don't whatever he character helped -- And so I think he'd be so that. It with everything that was -- on and in that how many soldiers you know -- I'm susceptible to the roadside bombs and -- and I you know I can't. It for him but I would guess that deputy with a decision he can't do is that it is especially if you've felt this way. A tragic -- that kind of things."

" You look at the camaraderie on base right now and we mentioned in the intro Mike about. You know they called in the milk man because of his name anelka and really. He feared the military you not you don't realize how important it is for nicknames and it's it really is kind of a badge of honor for him and and but all accounts we've heard that he was he was greatly respected and greatly revered."

" Oh absolutely be. It didn't very impressive and very. -- Q. You're all the things that his close friends then. And present. Them -- members have had to say if I turn it back. Nothing -- a complete respect and how closely was to all of them to death. And how much respect that had her -- on his friendship."

" And I think respect is the key word. My blades -- best to use your family our hearts and prayers go out to you and then as well as the other victims of the Fort -- shooting again."