The Last Day

Image courtesy: Sgt. 1st Class John Laughter

At this hour, American troops are still in danger in Iraq. Sadly, many journalists and politicians decided this war was over a long time ago, and no longer pay attention to the daily sacrifices being made by thousands of brave men and women in uniform still stationed there.

As the vast majority of patriotic Americans know, the war in Iraq is not over until the conflict's very last day. That's exactly how Spc. David Hickman, a soldier with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, was approaching his last days inside the country, where U.S. troops have fought since 2003.

"He stood out," Lt. Col. David Doyle, the soldier's battalion commander, reportedly said. "He proved himself."

Spc. Hickman, 23, was looking forward to coming home to Greensboro, North Carolina, sometime in December. But according to Drew Brooks of The Fayetteville Observer, a fine newspaper that runs the The Unknown Soldiers weekly syndicated column, soldiers from the 82nd Airborne, some of whom are pictured above, maintained laser focus on their dangerous mission in Iraq.

"The closer we get to the time of our departure, the more they want to get after us," Lt. Col. Doyle told the newspaper. "A loss is just as hard at the start of a war. It hurts no matter when it happens."

On Nov. 14, Spc. David Hickman was killed in Baghdad when, according to the Pentagon, he suffered injuries after encountering an improvised explosive device. The departed warrior was assigned to the 82nd Airborne's 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

Half a world from the streets of Iraq, Hickman's family and friends are devastated. Mike Kernels of the News & Record in Greensboro attended an emotional memorial event held at the Northeast Guilford High School football stadium, where Hickman once patrolled the field as a tough linebacker.

"Everyone has a David story," former classmate Ashleigh Harrison told the reporter. "He was our big brother. His priority — besides protecting our freedom — was his family and friends."

War coverage by the national media has been dwindling for years. CNN, for example, recently shut down a blog devoted to the Afghanistan conflict. But the network, to its credit, did notice Hickman's ultimate sacrifice, and reminded readers that danger still exists for troops in Iraq, most of whom will leave the country before Christmas.

If only reports like these could be more consistent at the national level. Outside of the CNN online report, there has been next to nothing reported by national media outlets about the bravery displayed by Hickman in Iraq. Last night's American Music Awards received far more media coverage than any recent sacrifice made by a U.S. service member in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Of course, the irresponsible behavior of some journalists takes nothing away from the heroism of selfless soldiers like Spc. Hickman. On the day of his death, he knew the Iraq war was about six weeks from being over. Yet instead of doing the easy thing and watching the clock, the former high school football star played his heart out until the very last whistle.

Our valiant men and women in uniform are still doing incredible things in Iraq. We owe them our constant thoughts, prayers, and gratitude, until the last day of the war has come and gone.

The Unknown Soldiers blog sends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and fellow troops of Spc. David Hickman. Thank you, valiant soldier, for fighting so hard to keep us free.

Image courtesy: U.S. Army