Youthful inspiration

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Lance Cpl. Kielin Dunn wanted to serve his country since elementary school. Yet despite a military upbringing, becoming a Marine wasn't as easy as signing a piece of paper. It took selfless dedication and extra effort, including graduating high school early, to realize his dream.

According to the Pentagon, Lance Cpl. Dunn, 19, was killed February 18 in Afghanistan's Helmand province while supporting combat operations. Specific details about his death have not been released, but his battalion is part of the NATO force taking control of Marja from the Taliban during Operation Moshtarak.

The Virginian-Pilot reports that Dunn grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia, and was a role model to many young people around him. While home from training or on leave, he would visit an area youth shelter that once helped him in a time of need.

"He was an inspiration to the residents here," [Seton Youth Shelter director of street outreach programs David Mount] said. "He inspired them and gave them hope that they could actually overcome their life challenges."

Mount described Dunn as intelligent, honest, driven and focused.

"He was a good person, and he was a straight arrow," he said. "That's a reflection of his family."

Dunn's father, Gary Campbell, serves in the Navy. His mother, Terri Campbell, is an Army veteran, and gave a tearful interview to affiliate WVEC-TV. She saluted the son who followed in her footsteps, and took it upon himself to answer his generation's call to service.