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NORTH ATTLEBORO - Marine Capt. Kyle Van De Giesen, killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, will be remembered at a candlelight vigil Thursday.

Van De Giesen, a 1998 graduate of North Attleboro High School and star quarterback for the football team during his senior year, will be honored during the vigil, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Community Field. In the event of rain, the vigil will be held inside North Attleboro High School.

The public is welcome to attend.

Veterans Agent James McCann said there is limited parking in the area and asked those who plan to attend to carpool if possible. Access to Community Field will be limited to the stone arch behind town hall, McCann said.

Van De Giesen, 29, who fulfilled his dream of becoming a helicopter pilot, died in a midair helicopter crash in Afghanistan just days before he was set to return home from his third and final tour of duty. He is survived by his wife Megan; his 18-month-old daughter, Avery Grace, and a son due in November. He is also survived by his father Calvin, of Franklin; his mother, Ruth Ann; his brothers Christian and Ryan; and his sister, Caitlin, all of North Attleboro; and his maternal grandfather, Rolf Hellmich of New Jersey.

The establishment of a memorial fund and funeral arrangements have also been announced.

The memorial fund has been set up to assist Van De Giesen's wife and children. Those wishing to contribute can mail a check to the Capt. Kyle R. Van De Giesen Memorial Fund, c/o Bristol County Savings Bank, Attention Sandy Vandette, 96 Commonwealth Ave, North Attleboro, MA 02760.

Van De Giesen's funeral will be at 9 a.m. Friday at Saint Mary's Church, 14 Park St., with burial to follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

News of Van De Giesen's death shook the town.

Friends say Van De Giesen was a born leader who loved his family. Yellow ribbons have been placed around town as remembrances on doors, mailboxes and utility poles throughout town.

He showcased his leadership skills as a quarterback of the North Attleboro High School football team, leading his team to a Super Bowl victory as a senior. He was awarded the Hockomock League offensive most valuable player award.

He was a 2002 graduate of Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., where he received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and was quarterback of the football team, which was re-established after a 58-year hiatus.

Van De Giesen dreamed of being a helicopter pilot since his childhood, and joined the Marine Corps to fulfill that dream.

After completing Officer's Candidate School in Quantico, Va., in the summers of 1999 and 2001, Van De Giesen was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 2002. Upon completion of the officer basic course in Quantico and flight school, Van De Giesen graduated in 2004 with his aviator wings and assignment to train as an AH-1W Super Cobra pilot.

Van De Giesen was deployed twice to Iraq and finally this past March to Afghanistan.

For his service, he was awarded an individual action Air Medal with combat "V," for valor and the Air Medal Strike/Flight with numeral 12, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two bronze stars and the NATO International Security Assistance Forces - Afghanistan Medal.