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Thank you all for your kind words. I printed off this article and your thoughtful replies. They have given me strength in this time of loss in knowing that others appreciate Josh's supreme sacrifice for freedom. I gave his family a chance to read them, hoping it might ease their pain, as it did mine - they are eternally grateful for your touching remarks. I have just returned from his funeral and had some final thoughts. The service was both a celebration of Josh's life, and mourning of our loss, that is Heaven's gain. The military honors were impeccably executed by an honor guard from Fort Gordon, Georgia, and I thank them for their professionalism, Josh would have been proud.

I am strengthened most knowing two things:

1. Josh believed in God Almighty and worshiped His Son, Jesus Christ, for the sacrifice of His perfect life to cleanse our sins, that we may have life eternal through Him. He sought to serve God in humility and sing His praises, that others may know, and receive, His Love. Josh's diligent servitude to God and faith in Jesus Christ has been rewarded with everlasting life at the right hand of God - and while I will miss him desperately and grieve his loss, I celebrate his life and the fact that he is reunited with the Father.

2. Josh believed in his mission and went willingly, knowing the inherent dangers associated with battle. Josh cared nothing for the politics and controversy that surrounded this war - to him the mission was clear - "Bring liberty to the people of Iraq". He believed in this cause so deeply, that he volunteered for every mission that came available while in Iraq - he was going to free the people of Iraq from their oppression, single-handedly if need be. That's how Josh handled everything in his life; there was no half-way - if you believed in doing something, then do it to the best of your ability. And his attitude and work ethic were infectious, his men (including me) respected him to the "Nth" degree and would have gladly laid down our lives for him.

At the funeral, I had the opportunity to speak to a friend of Josh's that was in Iraq with him. He was able to share some stories of Josh's heroic deeds while deployed there. Drawing strength from his faith in God and knowing that he was fighting for a just cause, Josh disregarded his personal safety and delicately stepped his way through a minefield to save the lives of two children that had mistakenly wandered in - carrying them to safety and surely saving their lives; as explosions surrounded him and his unit from an ammo cache that had been ignited, Josh saved the life of a fellow Captain by tackling him to the ground moments before a sheet of shrapnel rained down where the man had just been standing. In classic Josh fashion, he refused to acknowledge these acts as heroic; but humbly said that anyone else would have done the same. These stories and many more like them did not surprise those of us who served with him, but served only to reiterate Josh's selfless love for others.

Throughout his life, Josh sought to serve God and our country - he has accomplished them both admirably and served as an example to us all. I pray that I may emulate Josh's relationship with God and profound love for others. I will see you again someday in Heaven, my friend. "Fox 6" - I'll see you on the high ground, Sir - Scouts Out!

Mick Leach