Louis R. Fastuca
Louis went to the same high school that I went to, and was kind enough to let me tag along with him and visit Temple University during his Freshman year. I had such a great time at Temple, that I decided that I wanted to attend.
I ran into my former Spanish teacher from Mavlern tonight, who asked about how I ended up at Temple, and I mentioned Louis. My Spanish teacher told me that he had died in Afghanistan.
Fastuca, of West Chester, Pa., joined the Army two years after earning his diploma from Malvern Preparatory School in 2004. He went on dozens of missions and felt he had found his calling.
One of his first assignments was to serve in the honor guard at former President Gerald Ford’s funeral.
Fastuca was proud of his service, said Malvern Prep President Jim Stewart. “He came by school in his uniform and he told us how happy he was,” Stewart said.
Fastuca, 24, was in Warduk, Afghanistan, on July 5, when the vehicle he was in was struck by a bomb, killing him. He died of his wounds later that day at Forward Operating Base Shank.
Louis played an important part in my life, showing me around Temple University when I was a senior in high school.
I don’t know what to say, other than thank you, and goodbye.