SHELBY - Hundreds of people packed Sacred Heart Catholic Church-Bethlehem on Monday to pray for a fallen soldier.

Nick Vogt, 24, of Crestline, was seriously injured Saturday when he stepped on a bomb in southern Afghanistan. Vogt, a lieutenant, was leading his Army platoon on patrol when the incident happened. He lost both legs, and his heart briefly stopped. Since then, he has stabilized. Plans were to fly him to a hospital in Germany.

The people who attended Monday's prayer vigil braved a torrential downpour and lightning to get inside. "The rain inspires us to raise our prayers to heaven," the Rev. Michael Geiger said.

Nick Vogt, one of five children of Steve and Sheila, graduated from West Point in 2010. He had been in Afghanistan a couple of months. His father, who seemed remarkably positive given the circumstances, said he was "scared, but positive." He predicted his son would bounce back.

A vigil candle will remain lit until Nick comes home, Geiger said. After the service, Steve Vogt issued a message to everyone who knows Nick.

"He needs prayers," he said. "That's what's keeping him going."

Read the entire article, written by Mark Caudill from the Mansfield News Journal, by clicking here. Photo by Jason J. Molyet of the Mansfield News Journal