WAR CASUALTY Sandusky-area soldier killed in Iraq, family says

The family hasn't been told how he died.
MONROEVILLE, Ohio (AP) -- A soldier from the Sandusky area has been killed in Iraq, family members said.
The military informed the family of Jason Sparks, 19, of Monroeville, about his death Thursday, according to his aunt, Becky Sparks. She said the family hadn't been notified about how he had died.
Family members told the Sandusky Register that he was killed in Iraq.
The military had no information on Sparks, an Army public affairs duty officer said early today, but said that, by law, the Pentagon must wait at least 24 hours after notifying the family of a death before making a public announcement.
About the soldier
"Jason was one of those good kids who never got into trouble," Becky Sparks said early today. "He wanted to go into the military for quite a while."
Sparks had worked at two fast-food restaurants in nearby Norwalk before enlisting in February, his aunt said.
Steve Ringholz, Monroeville High School's football coach, said he found out about Sparks' death after practice Thursday evening.
Ringholz said Sparks played on the offensive line as a senior at Monroeville.
"He was a great kid," Ringholz said. "He always had a smile on his face."
Sparks was featured in the Aug. 22 edition of the Stars and Stripes newspaper. In it, Sparks was reported to be serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment training in Kuwait, a staging area for many troops headed to Iraq.