Mom Of Edmond Soldier Killed In Afghanistan: I Cannot Be More Proud

The mother of a soldier and Edmond Memorial High School graduate killed Monday while serving in Afghanistan says she cannot be more proud of the son who gave his life while serving his country.

Rex Schad was killed Monday during his second deployment. His family in Edmond was told of his death that same day. Although they were not given any details about what happened, the Department of Defense said Monday two U.S. service members were killed during an insider attack at a special forces site in eastern Wardak province. The shooter was dressed as an Afghan National Security Forces officer. He was shot and killed.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for that attack.

"Rex was a smart kid, he should have been in college," said his grandfather, Harold Whipple.

But born on a Naval base, into a military family, Rex Schad's loved ones say he wanted to be on the front line.

It was around 3:30 p.m. Monday, an Army Sergeant and Chaplain pulled up in front of his mother's Edmond home.

"She had the trunk opened on her car when they walked up and she fell over on the ground," said Whipple. "He was murdered by a policeman in Afghanistan."

Schad graduated from Edmond Memorial High School in 2005. Schad's mother, Colleen Whipple, said he was an extraordinary young man who always tried to help the underdog. Whipple said just last month, Schad was talking about his future and trying to determine if he wanted to be a teacher, or perhaps even a politician.

Schad's body is scheduled to arrive Tuesday at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. His brother, Max Whipple, is also in the army and flew in from Ft. Wainwright in Alaska to escort Schad's casket. Schad's family is still making funeral plans.

Schad was supposed to be home in July.