WNYer mourns husband killed in war

BOLIVAR, N.Y. (WIVB) - A soldier whose wife is from the southern tier has made the ultimate sacrifice serving his country.

Army Specialist David Lutes was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. He told his wife he wanted to go back "to get the job done, to protect what we have here at home." He leaves behind 2-year-old Kya and 6-month-old Kaitlyn.

What will they know of their father, Army Specialist David Lutes, who gave his life for his country, in far off Afghanistan? They know nothing of roadside bombs or terrorism, but their grandmother knows they will never seem their father again because a roadside bomb took his life. Nancy Childs, David's mother-in-law, prays for help.

"Just for God to give us the strength to get through this, and I couldn't be more proud of David if he was my own, and I just pray to God that all the other military guys come home safe in his platoon," said Childs.

David's widow returns home to western New York to the arms of her father waiting for her at the airport. She wears David's dog tags. She was at his bedside after he was evacuated to Germany and believes her husband could hear her saying goodbye in the final moments of his life.

David's widow, Bobbi Lutes, said, "I told him that I loved him. It was ok to go. I told him that our girls will be taken care of. They have a strong family and they'll know who you are."

David's father-in-law, Doug Childs, said, "I'll try to be there as much as I can for her, as much as I can for the girls, and I can't replace their dad, but I'll do everything I can so that they know what it's like to have one."

But they will be reminded of their father as time goes on and questions arise about who he was, why he fought so far away and what he meant to his family.

"I have photo albums. I will tell them all the stories they want to hear about their dad. I always talk about him anyways," said Bobbi.

David was from Maryland. Bobbi Lutes said of David, he was "smart beyond smart, but very humble." She said he was "proud of what he was doing, as a person and a soldier." Calling hours are Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Mary's Church in Bolivar. The funeral service is at the church at 10 a.m. on Monday.