By Stephanie Wurtz
s.wurtz@krdo.com

COLORADO SPRINGS - A young soldier is remembered for his humor and kindness.  The 21-year-old was born and raised in Colorado Springs and killed in action while serving in Afghanistan.  Sergeant James Pirtle was a little brother to two sisters and went by "Jimmy." 

One of his former teachers says Jimmy surprised everyone when he chose to join the Army.  She says he's unforgettable.  "It's like a parent," says former teacher and friend Dina Wood, "you teach them what you can and then you want them to stand on their own and Jimmy stood on his own, he really did." 

Wood taught Jimmy at Globe Charter School.  At first, she says he stood out because of his hairstyles.  "There must've been about 15 spikes that would come out of his head," Wood says.  But she says once you got to know Jimmy, it wasn't the crazy green hair that made him unique. 

"He was extremely kind, and not a lot of teenagers are kind," Wood says, "he hated if he would see kids being mistreated."  Jimmy joined the Army right after high school.  "He was afraid," Wood says, "he said that was healthy to be afraid." 

Wood says serving in the military helped him grow and also stay true to himself.  "Jimmy was a soldier and he wore a soldier's uniform, but he still had his green spikes underneath it," Wood says, "and that made me happy." 

Condolences are coming in from around the country through the Patriot Guard.  Wood says Jimmy's friends are coming together now to talk about memories and times spent together with Jimmy.  She says people always gravitated to him. 

"We always do feel like they're protected, the ones we love," says Wood, "that our love is enough to protect them, but that's not always true."  Pirtle was scheduled to return home in June.  He will be buried at Fort Logan Military Cemetery in Denver. 

Wood says a memorial will also be held in Colorado Springs because there are so many people there who will want to attend.  A date has not been set yet.