Printer-friendly version Reader Comments

Beau Beaulieu, who graduated from Lisbon High School just two years ago, is the second person in his family killed in action.

By DAVID HENCH Staff Writer March 7, 2008

LISBON - Army Spc. Beau R. Beaulieu, who was killed in a mortar attack in Iraq this week, was remembered in his hometown Wednesday as a quiet man with a strong sense of right and wrong.

Beaulieu, who was 20, was serving at Camp Cooke in Taji, north of Baghdad, when he was killed on Monday. The Army is investigating the incident.

"He's a person who believed in what was right," said Jill Hooper, who was his English teacher at Lisbon High School. "Him being part of the Army just didn't surprise me. He would have felt that was his duty and something he would be proud to do."

Beaulieu's death stunned the small community, especially because he is not his family's first military casualty. His stepfather, Frederick Field Jr., lost a brother in combat in 1993. Staff Sgt. Thomas Field was one of three soldiers who were killed in a firefight after their Black Hawk helicopter was shot down over Mogadishu, Somalia, as part of a United Nations peacekeeping force.

"I can't even imagine how difficult it would be to have a couple immediate family members, loved ones, lost under these circumstances," said Jim Bennett, a Lisbon native and a friend of the Fields who is now city manager in Lewiston. "It has to be the most challenging circumstances anyone can go through."

News of Beaulieu's death led his brother Brandon to return to Maine from Fort Knox, Ky., where he has been in Army basic training.

Beau Beaulieu grew up in Lisbon, a town of less than 10,000 on the outskirts of Lewiston-Auburn. He was the son of Dona Field of Lisbon and Tim Beaulieu, who has been living in Kentucky and returned to Maine after being notified of his son's death.

Beaulieu had a tight circle of friends and enjoyed mountain biking, according to his graduation yearbook. He was not involved in sports or other school activities, but was a calming force in the classroom.

"He never felt he had to be the center of attention," said Richard Read, former high school principal. "He was kind of a quiet kid in school, always respectful. I don't remember him being in any trouble. He was always smiling, always happy. He never had a bad word to say about anybody."

Beaulieu was a striking figure in high school: tall and well built, always clean cut, with a disarming smile.

"That smile. That sort of subtle, sly smile of his, is definitely something that stands in my memory," said Hooper, who taught him English in 10th grade and talked with him throughout his high school years. "He wasn't like a super chatty kind of person, but when he did tell you things, they were important and things you cared about."

Hooper knows Beaulieu's widow, Christina.

"She's a wonderful person as well," she said. The two dated during their senior year and stayed together, eventually getting married last year.

"When they were dating in high school they were inseparable - big smiles and definitely a whole lot of love going on there," Hooper said. "Beau was a lovable guy, so I'm not surprised."

Beaulieu decided to join the Army while he was still in high school, indicating in his senior yearbook that he planned to spend four years in Army communications before going on to college. He joined the Army in June 2002 and specialized in repairing and maintaining communications equip- ment.

Beaulieu was in Lisbon in December when he married Christina Estes. Both graduated from Lisbon High School in 2002.

Shortly after their wedding, Beaulieu shipped to Iraq as part of the 27th Main Support Battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division. based in Fort Hood, Texas.

Maine's U.S. senators and the state's governor offered condolences and support to Beaulieu's family.

Sen. Olympia Snowe said she will press the Defense Department for details on the circumstances of Beaulieu's death.

Sen. Susan Collins cited Beaulieu's sacrifice and the legacy of service...