Idaho Soldier Dies In Afghanistan

Another  Idaho soldier has been killed in Afghanistan.  Private First Class Robert J. Near of Nampa died Jan. 7 in Kandahar.

Near was assigned to the 86th Signal Battalion out of Arizone. Relatives say Near died in combat while serving as an infantryman. The soldier's uncle, Terry Near, said the family was notified of the death on Thursday. Near was deployed in March and had been due to return home. He will be buried in Granger, WA. A memorial service was held for Near in Afghanistan Tuesday. Near was 21 years old and had served in the Army for 21 months.