Nathan William Nakis

Nathan Nakis was taken from this earth on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 while serving his country in Mosul, Iraq. Nathan was the driver of a transport vehicle, and was killed when the vehicle crashed while attempting to avoid a hazard.

Nathan was born in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, on April 12, 1984. He attended school in Sedro-Woolley and graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 2002. He was active in symphonic and pep band, club and school soccer, cross country running, and wrestling. He also participated in peer groups such as Natural Helpers and Renaissance. He was a good student who maintained a 3.75 GPA, and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Nathan was always very active in the Boy Scouts of America. He began as a Cub Scout in the second grade and earned the rank of Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm in 2001. He was a member of the Order of the Arrow, the National Eagle Association, and a staff member at Camp Black Mountain in Whatcom County, WA. Nathan's home unit is Troop 67 (4067) from Sedro-Woolley, WA.

In January of 2003 Nathan enrolled at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, in the School of Forestry. It was his goal to earn a dual degree in Forest Engineering/Civil Engineering.

Nathan enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2001. He completed his basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in 2002. After moving to Oregon, Nathan transferred to B Company, 52nd Combat Engineers (Heavy), based in Albany, Oregon. In February 2003 the 52nd Engineers were called to active duty and deployed to Fort Carson, Colorado, for training to deploy overseas. In April they deployed to Kuwait, and in May they moved to Mosul, Iraq, where they are currently attached in support of the 101st Airborne Division. Nathan was considered a model soldier by his fellow troopers, and was happy doing his duty in the effort to rebuild the country of Iraq. His unit has been involved in a variety of civil projects including housing projects, athletic fields, road construction, and water systems, as well as improvements to the bases housing our service people in Mosul. He had also recently completed airborne assault training with the 101st and finished near the top of the class. At the time of his death Nathan held the rank of Specialist.

Nathan had a beautiful spirit. He loved people and held no bias. He accepted all people as they were. He loved the outdoors, music, and using his talents to create realities from the dreams he shared with his many friends. He loved and served his family, his community, and his nation with pride and honor. He personified the aspirations of the Scouting Movement. He was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.