Another Life Lost in the Iraq War

Another life has been lost in Iraq on this was against terror.

Ryan Patrick Jones of Westminster, Massachusetts was killed last Wednesday, May 2nd. His body arrived to his hometown on Wednesday, May 9^th. People lined the streets as his flag draped casket was escorted into the funeral home, in downtown Westminster.

There are conflicting reports as to how the 23 year old died, one source is quoting "a roadside bomb" and another is saying "enemy fire as he was leading a mission." Whatever the cause of his death is, it doesn't matter - the fact is another brave soul has lost his life. Another name to add to the list of the brave, who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the name of the American people.

Ryan was an Army 1^st Lieutenant who was assigned to the Fourth Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Fourth Brigade Combat Team and the First Infantry division, based out of Fort Riley, Kansas.

A popular student, who graduated from Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and later Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts, his former teachers remember him as an outstanding student with a smile that would light up the room. Always happy and outgoing, very well rounded as a straight "A" student, and a popular athlete.

The family is setting up a scholarship for the ROTC program, run by "Monty Tech" where he formerly attended high school.

The small town of Westminster is reeling from their loss. With only a population of roughly 7,000 people, it has hit home for even those who did not know this young man.

The War on Iraq is a controversial one, with standing ground on it being the right thing, and moving in the right direction. Several democrats however, don't see it that way and prefer to pull the troops out. With federal spending on the Iraq War reaching an estimated $50 billion, as well as recent troop call up of approximately 35,000, the risks are reaching an all time high both financially, and more importantly in human cost.

Whether or not you agree with the war on terror, it is necessary to support our brave men and women who are overseas fighting for our freedom. Lives are being lost, and prayers need to go to the families of those who have been killed or wounded. Without our brave soldiers, this country would not be where it is today.