Mount Si High School has lost its first graduate to the Afghanistan conflict.

Lance Cpl. Eric L. Ward, 19, a 2008 Mount Si High School alumnus, died Sunday, Feb. 21, while serving in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marine Corps.

The U.S. Department of Defense stated that Ward died as a result of a hostile incident while conducting combat operations in the Helmand province.

Ward was a machine gunner assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, with the Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan.

He joined the Marine Corps in July of 2008 and was promoted to the rank of lance corporal on Jan. 2, 2009.

Ward was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom last October.

His awards include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal.

At Mount Si, students hung a simple banner, reading, “Thank you for your service.”

Mount Si High School Associated Student Body advisor Charlie Kinnune remembered Ward as a well-built, athletic young man who played for him briefly and was challenged in finding a purpose until he signed on the Marines.

“He got his focus when he decided to go into the military,” Kinnune said. “You could see an instant change in him.”

Ward was more respectful, more focused.

“I saw that and was impressed,” Kinnune said.

Kinnune said the high school may host a memorial or other acknowledgement, but is waiting to hear from Ward’s family, in order to respect their wishes.

“We’re not going to rush anything,” he said. “We’re kind of in a holding pattern right now.”

Kinnune, who has taught at Mount Si for nearly two decades, said this is the first former student to die in the Afghanistan and Middle Eastern conflict.

“To be honest, we’ve been waiting for this call,” Kinnune said. “I’ve had a ton of military kids, especially football.”

Mount Si High School staff said Ward had come back to visit school, dressed in his uniform, a few weeks ago.

“I remember him being in Marine blue slacks and a khaki top,” Kinnune said. “He looked great. He was just a handsome kid.”