Community to Hold a Candlelight Vigil for Soldier Killed in Combat

A candlelight vigil will take place tonight for a Braden River High School graduate who was killed in combat last week in Afghanistan.

The vigil will honor U. S. Army Spc 4. Patrick L. Lay II, an infantryman assigned to the Army’s elite 10th Mountain Division, one of five soldiers killed in an IED explosion on Thursday.

Family, friends and anyone who wants to honor Lay will gather today at 8 p.m. at his mother's home, 3230 44th Drive E. in the Wallingford subdivision, behind the Walmart on State Road 70, according to the Facebook page set up in memory of Lay.

The family also has said that the events honoring Lay are open to the public. Viewing has been scheduled from 6 pm to 8 p.m. Friday, at , 5428 39th St. E. The church is behind the Braden River branch of the U.S. Post Office off State Road 70.

The funeral service, which is also open to public, has been scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Life Covenant Sanctuary. He will be buried at Sarasota National Cemetery.