Capt Joel Cahill was a Papillion-La Vista High School graduate, and was one of five siblings in his family. He was among the men that helped with the rescue of Jessica Lynch, who was taken hostage early in the war in Iraq, and recently Cahill helped with the elections in Iraq. He spent 15 years in the military. He strongly believed this is what he needed to do to keep his girls safe in the future. He believed he was doing the right thing. He was intelligent, funny and athletic. He had earned his college degree and an ROTC commission after several years as an enlisted man. He is also the highest ranked soldier from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team to die in action in 2005. Bravo Company, which Cahill took command of in August, is rich in Army lore, being the company of World War II's most decorated soldier, Audie Murphy. Though he was born in Massachusetts, and lived in Wrentham, as a youth, Cahill's family relocated to Nebraska before he began high school. The 15-year Army veteran is a graduate of Papillion-LaVista High and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he graduated with honors in 1999 and garnered an ROTC commission. After graduating from high school in 1989, where he had been a star linebacker on the school football team, Cahill joined the Army and later became a decorated member of the Rangers. He had a good sense of humor, was compassionate and cared about his troops. He earned several awards and honors, including a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Soldier's Medal, said Randy, adding that his brother was in full support of the war and strongly believed in America's mission in Iraq. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Not surprising, as Arlington is also Audie Murphy's final resting place. He left behind his wife, Mary, and their two daughters, Faith, 4 and Brenna, 3. Other survivors include his parents, Larry and Barbara Cahill; brother Larry Jr., all from the Omaha area; and brother Jason, of Columbia, Missouri. He was 34.

Capt Joel Cahill was a Papillion-La Vista High School graduate, and was one of five siblings in his family. He was among the men that helped with the rescue of Jessica Lynch, who was taken hostage early in the war in Iraq, and recently Cahill helped with the elections in Iraq. He spent 15 years in the military. He strongly believed this is what he needed to do to keep his girls safe in the future. He believed he was doing the right thing. He was intelligent, funny and athletic. He had earned his college degree and an ROTC commission after several years as an enlisted man. He is also the highest ranked soldier from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team to die in action in 2005. Bravo Company, which Cahill took command of in August, is rich in Army lore, being the company of World War II's most decorated soldier, Audie Murphy. Though he was born in Massachusetts, and lived in Wrentham, as a youth, Cahill's family relocated to Nebraska before he began high school. The 15-year Army veteran is a graduate of Papillion-LaVista High and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he graduated with honors in 1999 and garnered an ROTC commission. After graduating from high school in 1989, where he had been a star linebacker on the school football team, Cahill joined the Army and later became a decorated member of the Rangers. He had a good sense of humor, was compassionate and cared about his troops. He earned several awards and honors, including a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Soldier's Medal, said Randy, adding that his brother was in full support of the war and strongly believed in America's mission in Iraq. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Not surprising, as Arlington is also Audie Murphy's final resting place. He left behind his wife, Mary, and their two daughters, Faith, 4 and Brenna, 3. Other survivors include his parents, Larry and Barbara Cahill; brother Larry Jr., all from the Omaha area; and brother Jason, of Columbia, Missouri. He was 34.