Ever so often, an article comes along, that is just so compelling and moving, that I am stunned by the content of the story and the skill in it’s telling. This piece by Christopher Hitchins is in that category.
A Death In The Family.
This is the only quote I will post, so as to give you an idea of the story and the man.

A sergeant’s wife had written a letter to Linda and posted it on Janet’s MySpace site on Mother’s Day, to tell her that her husband had been in the vehicle with which Mark had insisted on changing places. She had seven children who would have lost their father if it had gone the other way, and she felt both awfully guilty and humbly grateful that her husband had been spared by Mark’s heroism. Imagine yourself in that position, if you can, and you will perhaps get a hint of the world in which the Dailys now live: a world that alternates very sharply and steeply between grief and pride.

This is one of the most emotionally deep and thoughtful pieces I have ever read. That doesn’t mean there aren’t even more or equally compelling stories about our brave young men and women, but the convergence of the tale and it’s telling is astounding to me.
As Mr. Hitchens states in one sentence, “If you have tears, prepare to shed them now …” In other words…*KLEENEX ALERT*

I cannot begin to express all the emotions I am experiencing about the young officer in this story, or his family and loved ones. I am saddened by his death, proud of his service, and given hope that men such as these will always be ready to stand up when our nation needs them.