Spanish Springs 2011 — Since returning from Afghanistan in April 2010, Christian Riege had settled into his full-time position with the Joint Forces Unit of the Nevada Army National Guard in Carson City. The Nebraska native was one of four people killed when a gunman opened fire at a IHOP in the same city.
After a deployment to Fort Irwin, California in 2004, Christian, 38, thought about voluntarily deploying to Iraq. But at the last-minute decided his four children needed him more at home.
He had already spent 19 years in the military, including two years with the Navy. While Christian was described by friends and fellow Guard members as quiet, he also had a big smile and someone, who while training for combat, could do 2,000 push ups in one day.
Christian was promoted to master sergeant effective September 6, the day the shooting occurred. His body has been flown back to Nebraska at the family’s request.
A note attached to a stuffed bear was left for Christian from his fiancée at a memorial in the parking lot where the unprovoked attack took place reads: “I’m grateful everyday that you are the one who has the key to my heart.”
The Old Blog in the Desert 
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