Friends and family mourn fallen soldier

Alicia Robinson

Trevor Win’E always had a smile and words of encouragement to offer.

The 22-year-old Costa Mesa native and Army specialist, who died in

action Saturday in Tikrit, Iraq, after the truck he was driving hit

an improvised bomb Friday, was considered a standout among his peers.

A statement issued by his family through the Army Tuesday said

Win’E, who graduated high school in 2000, “joined the Army in May of

2002 to improve his discipline and better his life.”

“Those who loved Trevor remember him as a Christian who usually

smiled and was always willing to lend a helping hand,” the family’s

statement said. “He was a competitive hockey player and snowboarded

in the winter.”

He was deployed to Iraq in November. Win’E was a petroleum supply

specialist in the 24th Quartermaster Company from Fort Lewis, Wash.

“Spec. Trevor Win’E followed his nation’s call and made the

ultimate sacrifice, serving in a time of war against the forces of

tyranny,” said U.S. Army Reserve spokesman John D. Wagner. “We are

deeply grateful for his commitment and mourn the loss of his life.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

He is remembered by his former teachers at Calvary Chapel High

School in Santa Ana as a friendly and attractive student who was

always smiling.

“He’s an awesome, awesome kid,” Principal Paul Woo said. “I had

him in class, and you talk to any of the teachers who had him and

they’ll tell you he was an outstanding example of a gentleman [who]

always had a smile on his face.”

Win’E was a hard worker in Woo’s geometry class, and he did well.

The young man also was able to balance his school work with an

extracurricular inline hockey team, Woo said.

“He was a fierce competitor, but always had a great attitude,” Woo

said.

Win’E had many friends at school, perhaps because he was positive

and encouraging, English teacher Nancy Hamilton said.

“He wasn’t the greatest student academically, but personally and

in character he was one of my real standouts,” she said.

Sometimes Win’E would come in to the classroom early and talk

about his older brother, Todd, who also served in the military,

Hamilton said.

“[Trevor] knew from his brother’s experience that it was not an

easy job,” she said. “He knew what he was getting into and he still

went and did it.”

Students and teachers at Calvary Chapel have been remembering

Win’E and praying for him, Woo said. A box has been placed in the

school office to collect cards and letters to the family, and it

likely will fill up fast because Win’E had so many friends.

“He made a huge impact on an extended network of people,” Hamilton

said. “I’m sure he didn’t know how he impacted people and I don’t

know that his family did. I hope they take comfort in knowing what a

positive impact he did have on so many people.”

Services are scheduled at 10 a.m. Monday at Calvary Chapel, 3800

S. Fairview Road, Santa Ana, with graveside services and burial with

military honors to follow at Fairhaven Memorial Park, 1702 Fairhaven

Ave., Santa Ana.

* ALICIA ROBINSON covers business, politics and the environment.

She may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at

alicia.robinson@latimes.com.