Soldier laid to rest
Topeka West grad who was killed in Iraq memorialized as patriot, husband, friend

By Mike Hall and Cait Purinton
The Capital-Journal

Cari Thomas clutches a U.S. flag that was presented to her by Brig. Gen. James T. Hirai at the funeral for her husband, Spc. Kyle G. Thomas, who was killed on Sept. 25 while serving in Iraq. Nick Krug/The Capital-Journal

All that was important in the life of Spc. Kyle G. Thomas was represented in those who attended his funeral Friday -- the military, ballet dancers, his young wife and his family.

Thomas, 23, was killed by an explosive device in Iraq on Sept. 25.

The Rev. Patric Riley, who officiated the funeral Mass, estimated 700 people attended the 90-minute service at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Topeka's Highland Park area.

Thomas' friend, the Rev. Jeremy Neidens, who married Thomas and Cari Dyke on July 6, 2002, shared officiating duties with Riley.

Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., said Thomas' life challenges those left behind.

"He received a call from God and he answered it," Brownback said. "Kyle's life challenges us. When we are called, will we answer?"

Members of a Fort Riley honor guard remove the casket bearing the remains of Spc. Kyle Gregory Thomas from a limousine at Memorial Park Cemetery. Nick Krug/The Capital-Journal

Brig. Gen. James T. Hirai, deputy commandant for the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, presented two medals to Cari -- a bronze star and a purple heart -- to add to Thomas' other awards.

Among the tributes read by Riley during the service was one from Mike Hastings, Thomas's former company commander with A Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade.

Hastings described the kidding Thomas received from other members of the unit when they learned he had danced ballet.

But Thomas wasn't daunted by the kidding and entertained other members of the unit with some ballet moves, even while dressed in fatigues, combat boots and camouflage face paint.

Cari Thomas wrote a tribute, too, but she was afraid her voice wouldn't hold out through reading it. Instead, her stepmother, Julie Hinrichsen Dyke, read it.

"On our wedding day, you said, 'till death do us part.' I never thought that would be true so soon," Cari wrote.

Following the service, a long funeral procession, escorted by Topeka Police Department motorcycle officers, drove to Memorial Park Cemetery, S.W. 6th and Gage, for a full military burial service, complete with a trumpet solo of "Taps" and a bagpipe duet of "Amazing Grace."

An honor guard from Fort Riley fired a 21-gun salute and folded the American flag, which was presented to Cari.

Thomas graduated from Topeka West High School in 1998. In school he had participated in football, track and wrestling.

He became involved in ballet when June Landrith, artistic director of the Metropolitan Ballet of Topeka, recruited members of the Topeka Fencing Club for help with a performance of "Romeo and Juliet."

He continued with ballet classes after that and danced professionally in several cities before joining the Army.

His family described him as deeply affected by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and he felt a calling from God to join the Army.

Mike Hall can be reached at (785) 295-1193 or mike.hall@cjonline.com.

Cait Purinton can be reached at (785) 295-1185 or cait.purinton@cjonline.com.

MILITARY HONORS

Spc. Kyle G. Thomas received several honors and awards from the Army: