Images courtesy: FacebookSpc. Faith Hinkley often had a smile on her face, but last week, her well-defined grin was even wider than usual. She was calling and e-mailing relatives and close friends to let them know she might be coming home from Iraq a bit earlier than originally planned. As U.S. troop levels are drawn down before the end of combat operations is declared on August 31, the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, deployed to Iraq since September 2009, is just about finished with its mission.
Instead of greeting Spc. Hinkley at a welcome home ceremony, her parents, grandparents, friends, and fellow soldiers are awaiting the solemn opportunity to touch, kiss, and salute her flag-draped casket. On Saturday in Iskandariya, Iraq, terrorists ended the 23-year-old woman's life by firing a rocket at an office building. The Valley Courier reports that Hinkley was pronounced dead of severe stomach wounds at a Baghdad hospital. Two more U.S. soldiers were reportedly wounded in the attack and are expected to survive.
News of the volunteer warrior's death has stunned hundreds of people eagerly awaiting her return.
"This is still so difficult to grasp. I cannot believe this happened," Jim Bowsher posted in the 'In Memory of Faith Hinkley...she's in God's care now' Facebook group. "You were like one of our own - Chelsea's sister. I will never forget the 'Oh my gosh' you would say when you guys were laughing and having a good time. You will always be in our hearts!"
While Sylvia Lobato's article doesn't reveal exactly why Hinkley chose a military career, it leaves no doubt that she spent her life being involved. From playing the clarinet and cheerleading to being active in the Future Business Leaders of America and Rainbow For Girls, Hinkley loved working with others toward worthy goals.
"You were one of the sweetest and most caring people I have ever had the privilege of knowing," Kelly McNeil posted. "I had to break out the high school cheerleading pictures...such fun memories. I remember when you accidently ended up with my cheerleading sweatshirt, and after almost two years returned it to me, just because that is the kind of person you were."
Leaving Colorado and becoming an Army Human Intelligence Collector did not mean Faith was done touching lives. After enlisting in the summer of 2007 and training at South Carolina's Fort Jackson and Arizona's Fort Huachuca, Hinkley began her journey to Iraq. A fellow soldier named Tim Hilton vividly recalls meeting the optimistic young fighter.
"Hinkley was right behind me in line the whole way into Iraq. In that long two day trip, I got to know a lot about her. It was the first time and the last time I spoke to her. Even though I only knew her for a brief period she was a memorable person. It will be a long trip home. My condolences to your family and friends."
After her tragic death, the soldier's impact on her comrades only grew.
"I had the honor of flying Faith on her journey back home to her final resting place," Genna Smith wrote. "It was an honor and she was well taken care of and well respected by all personnel involved. It's people like her who keep our freedom protected. My heart goes out to Faith's family."
Regardless of the Iraq war's politics, there is no debate about what the U.S. military has accomplished since the spring of 2003. The determination and skill of hundreds of thousands of American men and women have our country on the verge of a great victory in a war that some once feared was lost. While you may not have heard about Hinkley on national newscasts, we now know she was in Iraq to help complete the mission the right way. Her duty overseas was almost finished when the enemy struck. Yet as an outpouring of sympathy over the last few dark days makes clear, Spc. Faith Hinkley isn't done yet. As Nick Carinci reminded loved ones on Facebook, she will remain deeply embedded in many hearts, minds, and souls for generations to come:
"Death ends a life, not a friendship."
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