Hitting close to home......honoring a hero

Everyday we hear about soldiers getting killed overseas while defending our freedom, protecting our rights and providing us with the opportunity to live in the greatest country in the world. It's easier for the American people to hear these stories as long as they are distanced from the pain and mourning of the families that are paralyzed by the loss of a loved one. When one of these stories hits closer to home, it makes you take a step back, re-evaluate and recognize all the small things that we take for granted everyday.

Many of you have not been directly hit with tragedy of burying a dear friend, child or spouse, but you have all heard stories and news cast of such grief. One particularly popular and touching story was about Marine Lance Corporal Jose Gutierrez. He was the first American solider to be killed in combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Three days ago Sgt. Andrew H. McConnell was killed in Afghanistan by an IED. At 24 years old, he stood up for his country and lost his life defending the freedom that he believed in. Yesterday, Army Sgt. 1st Class Shawn McCloskey was killed in Afghanistan when enemy forces attacked his vehicle. McCloskey left behind a widow and two small kids. Sure these stories break your heart and many of you wish there was something that you could do to help. Well now there is.......

A fellow solider and a dear friend of John's, Sgt. Justin Duffy was killed in action on June 2, 2009 after a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee. What does this mean to you? John along with Duffy's family and the University of Nebraska have initiated a Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of Sgt. Duffy. Since August, the scholarship fund has transformed from an idea to a discussion and now to an official foundation. John's goal is to raise $25,000 by December to honor this fallen hero. Although this may seem like a large goal to accomplish, since the scholarship began collecting money just a few weeks ago, the scholarship fund has already reached over 10% of the goal. My hope is to do my part in raising awareness of the fund and providing you with the opportunity to reach out and honor a hero who laid his life down for your freedom. We need you to help us reach this goal. Any amount of money no matter how big or how small will be put to use for a great cause.

To learn more about the Sgt. Duffy Foundation website visit it here

http://stories.nufoundation.org/node/565

To make an online donation to honor this hero or to find an address suitable to mail a check follow this link

https://nufoundation.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=1367

This Facebook page has also been created to rally support and provide further information about donating.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/SGT-Justin-Duffy-Memorial-Scholarship/123053338041?ref=ts