LEXINGTON (WSLS 10) - Nearly three years ago Lexington and Rockbridge County rallied around a family who lost a son too soon. Army Ranger Chase Prasnicki was killed just days after he deployed to Afghanistan.
His death left a lasting impression on his younger brother. In a WSLS 10 exclusive we were there for the emotional day as Tyler Prasnicki officially joined the ranks of the military and takes the next steps in following his older brother.
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Tyler Prasnicki took the officer's oath, volunteering to serve in the United States Army commissioning from the Virginia Military Institute as a Second Lieutenant.
"It's been a tough four years for him, he's endured a lot," said David Prasnicki.
Tyler is David Prasnicki's second son to volunteer for duty. His first, Chase Prasnicki, was an Army Ranger who died in 2012 after a roadside blast. It was that tragedy that led Tyler to the Army.
"I'd always thought about it, I was unsure but that was something that pushed me over the edge," said Tyler Prasnicki.
His father remembers the decision well.
"I told him 'You need to really sit back and think about it because you got to make sure you're doing it for all the right reasons. You've got to remember there are going to be 30 or 40 other guys that are going to follow your lead so let's make sure you're going to do it for the right reasons'. He came back to me about a day later and said 'Dad I'm going to do it' and I said 'Well, congratulations, I'm very proud of you'," said David Prasnicki.
Tyler wants to follow in his brother's footsteps also becoming a Ranger one day.
"I hope to take essentially the same path he did," said Tyler Prasnicki. "He was my role model, he was my leader and I looked up to him. I kind of saw what he did as perfect so I'm trying to follow in that in my own way."
Giving the oath was a family friend. Army Captain Court Garretson was Chase's roommate at West Point. The two played football together.
"His personality is very similar. Chase was a going after it kind of guy and Tyler's the same way. I think it's going to serve him very well and his first unit with his soldiers," said Capt. Garretson.
His parents and sister were also part of the ceremony pinning his rank on his new uniform.
Mother, Debbie Arthur, is proud of her son.
"Of course it worries me, all the time but I have to put that aside, put it back and concentrate on the good that he's doing in serving his country and keeping us safe," said Arthur.
"It's very emotional for me obviously because I know what he's about to go through," said David Prasnicki. "I hope he gets everything he wants. Most of all be safe and come back home."
After facing a tragedy few can imagine Tyler knows it's his time to take the lead.
"To be the best lieutenant I can, hopefully be able to inspire my troops, inspire my people and get everybody back home safe," said Tyler Prasnicki.
It's a responsibility he's ready to tackle with plenty of help from above.
Tyler Prasnicki played lacrosse at VMI, graduated Saturday and will go to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for training.