'Strong as an ox'

Images courtesy: MySpace

Working at a Pizza Hut in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Spc. Robert Rieckhoff had a different career in mind. After getting his first taste of the military as a reservist, the young man decided serving his country was his life's true calling.

According to the Department of Defense, Spc. Rieckhoff, 26, was killed on Thursday in Baghdad, when terrorists attacked his tower with a rocket-propelled grenade. He had been looking forward to returning home from Iraq this summer, and had even bought a car online that he couldn't wait to test drive.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that 'Bubba,' as his family nicknamed him as a boy, had insisted on a righteous path in life.

"He wanted people to be proud of him," said his mother, Barbara Garwood. "His friends were getting in trouble. He didn't want that."

The soldier's grieving mother continued:

"I couldn't ask for a better son," Barbara Garwood said. "He listened."

Reporter Bill Glauber writes that Rieckhoff leaves behind two children, four sisters, and two brothers. The fallen soldier's uncle, Bruce Anderson, is also deeply saddened by the loss of his nephew.

"He was strong as an ox," said Anderson, his uncle. "He shouldn't be dead. He should be around."

Tributes are pouring in on Rieckhoff's MySpace page, including this one from a cousin.

"Why now? You were just here, I just saw you two months ago. Your kids will miss you dearly, but we will make sure they are taken care of. [I'll] light a candle for you tonight, you are my hero! You were very brave... and I'm very proud of you! I'll see you in heaven cuz, rest in peace."

Maybe we can all light a candle tonight for Robert Rieckhoff, as well as every American serving in harm's way.