WSU Sets Vigil for Ficek, Fallen Soldiers

PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University will hold a Jan. 19 candlelight vigil to honor former student Sgt. Damien T. Ficek and the other men and women who have given their lives in service to their country.

Members of the community are invited to gather at 4:15 p.m. in front of the Compton Union Building where candles will be lit for a walk to the WSU Veteran’s Memorial at 4:30. There, the colors will be retired at sunset and “Taps” will be played. Ficek’s wife, Kyla, and Sgt. Michael Brabner are scheduled to speak.

Ficek was an infantryman assigned to the Army National Guard’s 1^st Battalion, 161^st Infantry Regiment. A Department of Defense news release said he died when his patrol was attacked by enemy forces using small-arms fire.

For more information, contact Charii Higgins, coordinator for WSU Veteran Affairs, at (509) 335-1234.