Long Island Native, a Lacrosse Star, Is Killed in Iraq
        NY Sun - By CHRISTOPHER FAHERTY - 2/13/07

Sergeant James Regan, 26, a former Duke University lacrosse star, planned on getting a master's degree and marrying his fiancé after a fourth tour of duty with the Army, but he was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq last week, family members said.

Over the weekend, Regan's loved ones gathered at his parents' house in Manhasset, Long Island, to mourn his loss.

An All-American lacrosse player at Chaminade High School in Mineola, N.Y., Regan attended Duke University on a lacrosse scholarship, where he was part of an Atlantic Coast Conference championship team. Above athletic and scholarly success, Mr. Regan aspired to serve his country as an Army Ranger, a close family friend, Jayne Evans, a spokeswoman for the family, said.

He was set to finish his fourth tour in March 2008.

According to Mrs. Evan, Regan asked his fiancé, as they discussed his decision to join the Rangers: "If I don't do this, who will?"

Regan's father, who is also named James, told Newsday that even though his son died in Iraq, their family was supportive of the war. He said criticism of the war by news outlets and politicians undermines America's effort. The elder Regan works as a senior vice present at the Manhattan investment bank Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.

After joining the Army in 2004, Regan fought in Afghanistan before being transferred to Iraq. He was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

The Department of Defense has not released a statement on Regan's death; an aunt, Lillian Regan, told Newsday he was killed by a roadside bomb outside of Baghdad.

A total of 140 soldiers that hail from New York have died and 973 have been injured in Iraq, according to U.S. Department of Defense statistics. Of those, 103 were in the Army.

Regan is the second Duke University graduate from Long Island to die in Iraq. A former swimmer and baseball player, Matthew Lynch, was killed in combat in 2004.