Profiles of 3 Soldiers

Here are some personal details about the three captured U.S. soldiers:

Spc. Steven Gonzales

Age: 21

Family: Lives in Huntsville, Texas

Education: Graduated from Palestine (Texas) High School in 1995 in top 10% of class; attended Texas A&M;, 1995-96

Enlisted: 1996

Interests: Science, soccer

Quote: “He was a really neat kid. He was the type of student you’d love to have: hard-working, always happy, funny,” said Kay Stroud, Gonzales’ high school science teacher.

Staff Sgt. Andrew Ramirez:

Age: 24

Family: Lives in East Los Angeles

Education: Graduated from Schurr High School in 1992

Enlisted: 1992

Interests: Repairing cars, wrestling, dogs

Quote: “He’s not a fool, let me tell you. He’s real clever. He’s got a head on him,” said Frank Gonzalez, a neighbor in Los Angeles.

Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Stone:

Age: 25

Family: Stone’s wife and son live with her family in San Antonio; father lives in Kenockee Township, northeast of Detroit

Education: Graduated from Capac Community Junior-Senior High School in 1991

Enlisted: 1991

Interests: In high school, he was on the cross-country team and a member of Students Against Drunk Driving.

Quote: “I’m surprised he couldn’t talk his way out of this,” said Ken Marzka, Stone’s cross-country coach.

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Source: Associated Press