Posted on 07/28/2005 6:28:43 AM PDT by Axhandle
PORTAGE – A soldier from northwest Indiana who was killed in Iraq this week had planned on joining the military since he was a child.
Army Spc. Adam J. Harting, 21, died Monday when an explosive detonated near an armored vehicle in Samarra, Iraq, the military said. He and his twin brother gave their father letters when they were young saying they wanted to become soldiers.
“Little contracts that they both wrote,” said the soldier’s father, Jim Harting of Valparaiso. “He believed in what he was doing.”
Harting grew up in Portage, graduating from Portage High School in 2002.
He and his twin brother, Alex, both were speaking with military recruiters before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Those attacks sealed their decision to sign up, as Alex Harting joined the Air Force, their father said.
Adam Harting was interviewed by Time magazine in 2003 for being one of the youngest soldiers, then 19, to arrive in Kuwait as part of the Iraq operation.
“I just figure there’s a lot of people here who take care of me,” he told the magazine, referring to superiors who were assigned to watch out for soldiers like him.
Harting’s death raises to 44 the number of service people from Indiana to have died since the build up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Prayers for his family.
All gave some - some gave all - rest in peace my brother.
Rest easy brave American soldier. Our prayers go with you
Another warrior to Valhalla.
Prayers for him and his family.
My family rests safely because of your sons sacrifice.
I am humbled.
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