Staff and students at Mount Si High School are dealing with the tragedy of war. A Marine killed on Sunday was the first Mount Si graduate to die in the war on terror.

Eric Ward was just 19 years old and graduated in 2008. Everyone knew when he left school he was going to join the Marines.

"He comes in in that uniform, and his whole demeanor had changed," said Valerie Meyers. "It was pretty cool."

Meyers has Ward's Marine Corps photo on her computer. He was one of her favorite students.

The kid in the yearbook with the piercing blue eyes was the guy who always cheered on the Wildcats. But now he's the first Mount Si graduate killed in Afghanistan.

"It's a horrible thing to have to deal with when you lose a 19, 20-year-old kid like that," Meyers said. "We're learning something new here, how to deal with something like this."

There was never a doubt Ward was going to be a 4th generation Marine. At his family home in Redmond, the Stars and Stripes are lowered and a blue star hangs high in the window.

On campus, students made their own banner to say thank you for your service. Teachers want them to take pride in his sacrifice.

"Pride, but pretty sad," said Freshman English teacher Bill Dillon. "I really don't want my kids hurt."

The military says Ward died on Sunday by hostile fire. He was part of the offensive against the Taliban in Marjah.

Because he died in battle, he'll be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The school wants to honor him when the family comes home.

For now, there are smaller tributes -- pictures on computers, and the flag at half staff.

"They can attach something real to that," Meyers said. "That flag flies because of people like my friend Eric. So I think that would be his legacy."

The school has counselors on campus to help teachers and students if they need it.8651 Meadowbrook Way Southeast
North Bend, WA 98045