101st's youngest fatality was family protector, dad says

Tennessean ^ | 8/16/03 | LEON ALLIGOOD

[Ranger]

Pfc. Daniel R. Parker, 18, thrown from a vehicle Tuesday, is the youngest 101st Airborne Division soldier to die in Iraq.

His name was Daniel Parker, but most everybody knew him as Dan.

Smiling Dan, 18, who a year ago raised his hand to solemnly swear that he would ''support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.''

[Ranger]

Older people regularly malign the current younger generation, but my experience has been that they are patriotic, upstanding, idealistic and put those of my generation to shame. I deeply regret the death of this fine young man. I wish the family to know that their loss is felt by others here in the U.S. and by people they will never know. I hope that his sacrifice in conjunction with hundreds of others may bring peace and freedom to Iraq.

[HiJinx]

RIP
PFC. Daniel R. Parker
American Hero

[Lijahsbubbe]

He's just a baby. Looks like a beautiful young man. You sacrificed the greatest Daniel. May your reward be the highest.

[happygrl]

Thanks for posting.

He was from my home area in Riverside County. What a great young man ! What a great tribute from his Dad !

Tears are falling while I type.

I pray that we will always be worthy as a country of the sacrifices of these soldiers.

Prayers for this soldier and his family.

[Dante3]

How terribly sad.