Ryan Walker

Yesterday my oldest daughter, Blaze called and was crying. She told me one of her roommates from college, Ryan Walker was killed in Baghdad. It was a very tough conversation and one that brings this war to one's own front door.

You see Blaze and most of her friends disagree with the war on the same principle I agree with it. We have had many discussions about the war knowing that we have family and friends on the front lines. The conversations have never been heated. We have found ground to agree to disagree, if you will. Blaze and Ryan though opposite in political opinion were equal in their love of country and the rights we possess. They also have a nature within themselves that drives them to serve others. They remained friends as many college friends do.

Ryan Walker who I met only a few times but was amused by. He was a young Republican type, conservative of a man with an urgency to serve. When I met him he was sharing an apartment with Blaze while they went throught the firefighting and paramedic courses in college. He attended several of our family's get togethers for no other reason other then to find a free meal like any intelligent college kid would and to talk with people. He always greeted you with a smile, a manly look in the eye and a firm handshake. I was impressed with his zeal and his lack of restraint to share his opinions. My kind of guy.

He was in Baghdad by choice and was serving all of man kind by preserving freedom for those of us who often take it for granted and delivering freedom to those who know nothing of it. He was a paramedic who was to come home soon and from what I gather continue his zeal to serve as a paramedic in our community. He was a real hero.

My heart and prayers go out to Ryan Walker, his family, his friends and those who served along side of him. Thank you Ryan.