Fallen soldier honored when his body returns home

“Suresh is someone who just lights up a room, incredible energy, someone who is passionate about life and people. He’s a very driven and charismatic kid,” Suresh Krause’s uncle, Brody Schmidt, said about his nephew.

Twenty-nine year old Army Chief Warrant Officer Suresh Krause always knew what he wanted to do with his life.

“From day one it was ‘I’m going to be a pilot. Uncle Brody, I’m going to be a pilot one day,'” Schmidt said.

Krause died when the “UH-60 Black Hawk” he was in was shot down in Afghanistan. Family and loved ones gathered at Signature Aviation at the Palm Springs Airport as Krause’s body arrived back home in a private jet.

Patriot guards paid tribute to the fallen hero before escorting his body to Forest Lawn.

Seeing Krause’s casket was almost too much for family members to bear. Krause made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, and his uncle said such selfless acts were characteristic of his nephew.

“He was offered a Lieutenant position from the U.S. Army, but he opted to enlist to know what it’s like to go through what any soldier would go through,”Schmidt said.

He’s the second serviceman from Cathedral City killed in the line of duty, and the fifth local serviceman killed since the September 11th attacks.

“What is sends to our youth here in the valley is that serving is noble and honorable,”Schmidt said.

Though his life was cut short, Krause’s uncle finds peace in everything his nephew has done.

“He wanted to be a pilot, and he accomplished that,”Schmidt said.