Husband, father killed on Christmas

Sometimes these stories of sacrifice are almost too difficult to write about.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports on the death of decorated Staff Sgt. David Gutierrez, which tragically occurred on Christmas Day in Afghanistan. A Pentagon release said the soldier was badly wounded "when insurgents attacked his dismounted patrol with an improvised explosive device in Howz-e Madad" and died of his injuries.

According to the Chronicle article, Gutierrez left behind three sons, ages 12, 6, and 4. The soldier enlisted in 1998, which was about two years after his wedding. He was also an amateur football star. But this part of the article seems to sum up what the soldier was all about:

On Sept. 11, 2001 - the day of the terrorist strikes in New York and Washington - Gutierrez was flying back to the United States for an assignment at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. While there, he and his wife housed two Japanese orphans in their home, his family said.

Today, we mourn the loss of this kind man who gave his life in service of others.