5 Heroes Who Died December 22, 2012 to January 16, 2013

The personal nature of these losses was again brought home to me not long ago. A young military man was home for Christmas and visited our Sunday School class. He said this was a harder return from Afghanistan than his other tours. I asked him why, and he said because he lost three friends in an attack in September. I asked him their names. He didn't seem to want to talk about it, but mentioned one name: Sgt. Sapuro Nena. This was a reminder to me of the richness in each one of these heroes and the loss they are to their family, friends and country.

December 22 - Cdr. Job W. Price, 42, of Pottstown, Pa., died of a non-combat related injury while supporting stability operations in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. This incident is currently under investigation.

December 24 - Sgt. Enrique Mondragon, 23, of The Colony, Texas, died in Baraki Barak, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his unit was attacked by small arms fire while on dismounted patrol.

December 29 - Pfc. Markie T. Sims, 20, of Citra, Fla., died in Panjwal, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

January 10 - Sgt. Aaron X. Wittman, 28, of Chester, Va., died in Khogyani District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his unit was attacked by small arms fire while on mounted patrol.

January 16 - Sgt. David J. Chambers, 25, of Hampton, Va., died in Panjwai District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered an enemy improvised explosive device while on dismounted patrol.