Editor's Note: A California National Guardsman in Iraq sent the following letter to a relative, with permission for the North County Times to print it.
"On Sunday, June 26th,Ýat 1900 hours, I sat amongst my brothers in arms under the hot Iraqi sun. As the sun began its trek over the horizon, it shined directly into my face. Sweat poured from every part of my body due to the heat. Warm gusts of wind brought no cooling comfort, but rather dirt and dustÝupon the wet skin of my face and into my eyes. Tears welled in my eyes, flushing out the sweat and dust, but they were not caused by these. I sat there knowing the other soldiers of "Charlie Rock" were experiencing the same discomfort as I, yet we all endured it. I not only endured it; I embraced it, for I was alive and able to feel such things. Unfortunately, Sergeant Arnold Duplantier II will never again feel such discomfort, pain, or even pleasure, or joy.
"On June 22nd,Ýa sniper's bullet found its mark and took the life of this outstanding soldier; this honorable man. Arnold was the type of guy that became your friend the moment you met him. He was the kind of man everyone could look up to, and depend on He loved his wife, and absolutely adored his little girl. He will be missed,Ýand will never be forgotten.
"His wife lost a loving husband. His little girl lost her daddy. "Charlie Rock" has lost a damn fine soldier; a brother. Though his loss is aÝtremendous one, I find comfort knowing his was an honorable death. He was a Sergeant of infantry, a true warriorÝperforming his duty at the time of his death. He was not killed byÝthe cowardly act of some lesser being setting off a bomb. He did not just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time during a mortar attack, or catch a stray bullet. It was no accident. A skilled and professional warrior of the other side took careful aim, andÝsqueezed the trigger. It was a well placed shot that avoided Arnold's bullet proof plate, and entered his chest, inflicting a mortal wound. If I am to die on this foreign ground, I can only hope for a death as honorable as his.
"Throughout the memorial service, and while I stood in line to salute this brave man one last time, I took a good look around. I saw the hurt on people's faces. I saw sadness, but I also saw determination. Behind us in an open lot, soldiers prepared their vehicles for their next patrol. I watched as they mounted the machine guns in the turrets, andÝdonned their body armor and equipment. Two Blackhawk helicoptersÝlifted off and flew into the setting sun, then faded out of view. These wereÝjust a couple ofÝreminders that despiteÝour set back, there is still a mission to complete, and we are all determined to accomplish this mission. In honor of Sergeant Arnold Duplantier II, and the others who have made that ultimate sacrifice, we must continue. Three hours later, I was on patrol.
"Our independence day is just days away. On that day, I have a favor to ask of you. As you party and celebrate your freedom, I ask that you take the time to raise your glass to those who have provided and maintained that freedom for you throughout the history of our great nation. And please, have a drink for "Dup", he'd like that.
Brad
