Michael Fumento

Dennis Samson of the 1/506th, 101st Airborne, has been laid to rest in Hesperia, Michigan after being hit by small arms fire at an observation post at Camp Corregidor, Ramadi. OP duty is boring and absolutely vital. These are the eyes of the unit. They watch for bad guys burying IEDs, for suicide vehicles, and for ambushes. They also keep on eye on known and potential enemy sniper nests and serve as snipers themselves. Samson was presumably hit by a sniper, although the military makes a point of not confirming such deaths so as not to let the enemy know they succeeded. I first learned of his death from a relative who wrote:

I am humbled and saddened and grateful that I could have played a small part in telling the world what the Dennis Samsons of the world are sacrificing for us and in letting them know we appreciate their sacrifice. It's always nice to tell somebody that before they're gone.