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Updated 09/08/2012 11:36 AM

Candlelight vigil held in honor of fallen soldier

By: Web Staff

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OSWEGO, N.Y. -- Spc. Kyle Rookey died while serving in Afghanistan last weekend in a non-combat related incident.

The Oswego native, 23, leaves behind his parents, wife, an eleven-month-old daughter, and three siblings. Loved ones gathered together at Fort Ontario in his honor to light candles, sing songs and pray. Rookey's parents say Kyle would have been shocked to see so many people supporting him.

"He would be in disbelief, he'd be like not for me, he was just such a selfless person anyways, always put himself last, he would've been the one who would've done this for somebody", said George Rookey and Carol Sue Akers.

Rookey's body will arrive back in Oswego on Tuesday evening, and will be escorted by law enforcement from the county airport into the Port City. Calling hours will be held Wednesday night from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a private funeral to be held at a later date.