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Michael Jarrett lived in North Platte for less than two years, friends and family said, but his time there was pivotal in getting him interested in a military career. He arrived in Nebraska on something of a whim, when friend Andy Clark announced that he was moving to North Platte to care for a sick uncle. Michael decided to tag along after he graduated from high school in Ramona, Calif., in June 2007.

He worked at the Walmart distribution center in North Platte and later got a job at a Casey’s General Store, friends said.

Most nights, you could find Jarrett and his friends holed up in the basement of the two-story house they rented, playing “Halo” together on XBox Live.

On weekends, they often drove to McCook, playing in Magic: The Gathering tournaments and meeting people.

During his time in North Platte, Jarrett thought more and more about a military career, friends said. He liked the Army recruiter who befriended him. He liked the idea of making more than minimum wage, said North Platte friend Nathan Vogt, a veteran who often talked with Jarrett about the wages and lifestyle of the military.

PFC. Jarrett joined the Army in August 2008 and soon found himself in Germany, repairing helicopters.

“He loved working on those Apaches,” said Clark. “The military really seemed like it was helping him straighten up, you know. It seemed like it helped him focus.”

Jan 6, 2010