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Californians Honor Soldier Killed in Iraq
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Robert Ayres of Santa Monica, Calif., loved the outdoors and sleeping on the beach. Both of his grandfathers had served in World War II. After he saw the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on television, he told his father he wanted to fight for his country. He wasn't old enough then, but years later, he joined the Army.
Ayres was sent to Iraq twice. He died from his wounds in a small-arms attack at the end of September.
According to the Los Angeles Times, he inspired his mother to join the California National Guard. She was sworn in a few weeks after her son was killed.
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