'There is nowhere that I would rather be'

Images courtesy: Facebook

On Veterans Day 2008, Sgt. 1st Class Glen Jacob Whetten sat down to write a few words on his blog.

"As I sit here today in my uniform while on brigade staff duty, I ask myself if there is anywhere I would rather be on this holiday, I mean sure I could be at one of my buds houses gearing up for a barbeque, or maybe just chilling at my house playing with my dogs and watching a couple of movies, or playing the [XBox] 360 killing some terrorists who are trying to lay siege to Las Vegas. But as I walk around the Ranger Hall of Fame and walk through the hallways where it is dead silent aside from my own footsteps, I see photos and read archives of battles past, where 'we were outnumbered' or 'given up for dead.' And I stand quiet and in awe with what some of these old timers have been through."

Sgt. 1st Class Whetten, 31, was determined to be a part of his generation's call to service. He enlisted almost immediately after high school, and was later among the first U.S. boots on the ground in Iraq during the 2003 invasion. After his deployment, he was training fellow soldiers at Georgia's Fort Benning, where he wrote the above blog post, before volunteering to serve in Afghanistan.

According to the Pentagon, Whetten was killed on Friday, near Kandahar, when his vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device planted by terrorists. The American hero's brother, Jed, describes the moment he learned the painful news.

"Yesterday I got a call that I never wanted to get. My mother called to let me know that an Army chaplain and two Officers arrived with news of my brother's death. Words do no justice to the anguish and pain that I felt and still feel."

The Arizona Republic spoke to the soldier's mother, Amy, who gave the newspaper some courageous words during a tremendously difficult time.

She said a friend told her that Jake's death was the worst thing that could have happened, but Amy Whetten disagrees. She said the worst thing is when people waste their lives doing bad things. Her son perished fighting for his country.

"I'm hurt, but I'm at peace," she said. "It's heartbreaking and it's very sad, but it's not the worst thing."

Whetten, described by loved ones as a friendly man who took a particular interest in helping children, leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter, three siblings, mother, and fiancee. He will be honored by family and friends at a memorial service in Phoenix, and by fellow troops at Afghanistan's Camp Blackhorse.

Every article, blog post, or Facebook tribute to Whetten mentions his love and absolute committment to his country. Yet it seems most appropriate to return to the soldier's own words for an accurate glimpse at his intrinsic dedication to service. After telling the story of a World War II hero, the soldier wrote:

"Now that is just one story that these walls whisper to me as I walk down these halls conducting my safety checks. That is what makes me proud to be an American, proud to be a soldier, an Airborne Ranger. That is what makes me proud to be a veteran. There is nowhere that I would rather be!"

When America was attacked on September 11, 2001, Sgt. 1st Class Glen Jacob Whetten stood ready to defend her. His words, backed by his actions, show us a man who helped keep our nation proud, safe, and strong. Our deepest condolences go out to everyone who knew this humble patriot, including the young nephew pictured below with his beloved Uncle Jake.