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"SFC Adrian M. Elizalde, 30, of North Bend, OR died August 23, 2007 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Lewis, WA. He died in Baghdad of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device. He played on the varsity football and wrestling team. He graduated in 1995 and entered the Army in May 1996. Adrian was a strong, health and fitness conscious young man. SFC Elizalde enjoyed wrestling, mixed martial arts and hunting. He started wrestling at age 8 and became a standout star. In high school, he won a district championship in the 126-pound weight class, qualifying for the state tournament. Close friends note that he still talked about wrestling moves and cardio fitness. He had talked about becoming a teacher after his time in the Army. He also talked about being a science teacher and possibly a wrestling coach. SFC Adrian M. Elizalde of North Bend, Indiana joined the Army in 1996, one year after graduating from North Bend High School. He was serious about his military career He volunteered for military service and entered the Army in May 1996 as an infantryman. He served four years as an infantryman and scout with 3rd Bn., 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment (AIR), and another three years as a Long Range Surveillance Detachment team leader with Company D, 519th Military Intelligence Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. He later earned the coveted “Green Beret” after graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2005. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. SFC Elizalde is survived by his daughter, Sydney Grace, 6, of Klamath Falls, OR, and his parents, Jorge and Terese of Renton, WA."