I live in Monmouth, Or. Small college town. The town recently suffered its first Iraq casualty. Young man 19 years old. I didn't know him nor his parents
but I'm sure I saw him around. He was deployed with the Oregon National Guard unit that he joined primarily to get college funds. He was killed on patrol
two weeks ago. His funeral was Friday. They ran the procession through town - right past my house in late morning. I work from home so I went outside. It was
very impressive with several hundred vehicles, motorcycles, police, fire, sheriff and civilian. It almost 1/2 hour to pass. It was pretty powerful and I could
barely go back to work after that. The parents have handled themslevs with grace and dignity. I doubt I could do the same.

