etter to the Editor

"A man who serves his country," President Roosevelt once stated, "is the highest compliment and honor that can be bestowed upon a man." The brave men and women who serve our country, know no fear. They serve the United States of America with pride, knowing that there might indeed come a day when they don't return home. 
 
Minnesota recently took a tragic turn in the war on terror in Afghanistan and Iraq in regards to casualites with six residents Killed-in-Action thus far in the month of July. As a North Dakota neighbor, I would like to take the time to honor these fine heroes who gave their lives for our freedom.
 

Spc. Chester W. Hosford, 35, of Hastings, Minn. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry Regiment, Dixon, Ill. Operation Enduring Freedom died July 6 in Konduz, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.
 
 
Spc. Daniel P. Drevnick, 22, of Woodbury, Minn.; Spc. James D. Wertish, 20, of Olivia, Minn.; and Spc. Carlos E. Wilcox IV, 27, of Cottage Grove, Minn. died July16 in Basra of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using indirect fire.
All three soldiers were assigned to the 34^th Military Police Company, 34^th Infantry Division, Minnesota Army National Guard, Stillwater, Minn.
 
 
Capt. Thomas J. Gramith, 27, of Eagan, Minn., died July 17 in a F-15E crash near Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.
 
 
Cpl. Benjamin S. Kopp, 21, of Rosemount, Minn., died July 18 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington of wounds suffered July 10 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga. 


We must never forget our heroes. This is the highest compliment we can pay to these ordinary men who fought for our country and gave their lives, thus becoming anything but ordinary citizens. In parting, I would like to share the Soldiers' Angels poem that I send to the families of the heroes Killed-in-Action.
 
 
When you were born, an angel smiled.
As you became a child, an angel sat on your shoulder.
When you became a teen, an angel held your hand.
As you went to war, an angel walked down the road with you.
And, when you died, another angel got their wings.
 
 
Rest in peace dear neighbors, rest in peace.
 
Shelle Michaels
Soldiers' Angels
National Communication Officer
ShelleMichaels@SoldiersAngels.org
(218) 779-7271

Grand Forks, ND
 
 
Shelle Michaels
 
"May No Soldier Go Unloved"
 
Soldiers' Angels National Communication Officer
ShelleMichaels@SoldiersAngels.org
www.SoldiersAngels.org
 
Ladies of Liberty Team Director
LadiesofLiberty@SoldiersAngels.org
www.SoldiersAngelsLadiesOfLiberty.com
 
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