At Talawanda Middle School, the arrival of Michael J. Cifuentes as a substitute teacher was met with cheers from teachers and students alike.

Principal Sharon Lytle remembered Cifuentes as an �excellent sub� who exhibited a special willingness to help students requiring home instruction.

�He was always willing to take the toughest cases,� she said.

�He was a real team player.�

Cifuentes, 25, of Fairfield, Ohio, was killed Aug. 3 when his vehicle was hit by an explosive south of Haditha. He was based at Columbus.

A 2002 graduate of Miami University, Cifuentes enrolled in the university�s integrated mathematics master�s degree program before his unit was activated in January.

�Some of his classmates said that when he walked into a room the place lit up,� said the Rev. John Ferone.

Cifuentes is survived by his parents Gregory and...