Bismarck, N.D. (AP) One of the newest soldiers in the North Dakota Army National Guard has enlisted following his father's active-duty death in Afghanistan.
The National Guard says Eric Linde took the oath of enlistment in Fargo last month, nearly two years after his father, Sergeant 1st Class Darren Linde, was killed while on patrol to neutralize improvised explosive devices.
Eric Linde is a junior at Century High School in Bismarck. He will attend basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri in June and will pursue advanced training in summer 2016.
Linde's mother says he has been ready to enlist since he was 5 years old. She says it didn't surprise her that he wants to honor his dad's career.
Darren Linde served in the Army National Guard in North Dakota and Montana for 22 years.