A memorial tribute by the Hays VFW is being planned for former Hays resident Bryan Nichols who was one of 30 American troops killed Saturday in Afghanistan when their Chinook helicopter was shot down. The 31 year old Nichols, was a ’98 graduate of Thomas More Prep Marian High School, and served with the 158th Aviation RegimentArmy Reservist in Olathe. Sgt. 1st Class Seth Kastle, an Army reservist in Wichita, served two tours with Nichols in Qatar and Iraq. Kastle has helped organize a memorial college fund for Nichols’ son 10 year old son Braydon:
www.cw2nichols.bbnow.org
Nichols’ parents, Doug and Cynthia Nichols, live in Palco.
Another Hays man was also killed, 47 year old Dave Carter, a 1982 Hays High graduate, serving with the Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado. Nichols and Carter were part of the four member crew flying the helicopter as it ferried a group of Navy SEALs to reinforce a group of Army Rangers who were under fire.
38 people and one K-9 soldier died. 
It was deadliest single loss for U.S. forces in the decade-long war.