Family Members Honor Tyler Orgaard's Memory - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

20-year-old Tyler Orgaard of Bismarck was killed in Afghanistan Monday.

He was a member of the North Dakota National Guard's 818 Sappers.

Today his mother, father and sister gather today to honor their son and brother by sharing their stories of him--with us.

They say it was Tyler's passion to join the military, and that he died doing what he truly loved.

Jesse, Josie and Kristy Orgaard say it was Tyler's dream to end up in a photo like this.

"He told his mom when he was seven years old that he wanted to join the military, and she said Tyler you understand that you might have to go to war and you could be killed, and he said, even at the age of seven, I know that. But mom at least people will respect me for what I've done," says Jesse Orgaard."

The Orgaard's say Tyler was athletic, passionate and a character like his dad. He loved Mixed Martial Arts and music, playing both the guitar and piano.

They say he was a born leader, always happy and upbeat about his mission in life and in Afghanistan.

The first day you kinda feel empty, and the next day it kinda gets a little better, there is still that hole but you start to remember him for who he was and what he stood for and that win, lose or draw he made the decisions and followed his dream," says Jesse.

The day after Thanksgiving was the last time the family spoke to Tyler. He woke them up with an early morning Skype.

"A few weeks ago he called and said hey it's almost Christmas time, it's all down hill from here I'll be home soon. He said I miss you guys, I can't wait to see you he said but just know that there is no place else in the world or nothing that I would rather be doing than what I'm doing right now," says Jesse.

Jesse says he's proud of his son and will remember his for having the courage to stand up and follow his dreams.

The Orgaard's say Tyler was looking forward to coming home and competing again as a Mixed Martial Artist. Kristy says he wanted to get a business major so he could open his own gym one day.

The Orgaard's have set up a fund in his name at Gate City Bank. They will donate proceeds to Bismarck Combat Sports.