I tried to post this last night, but ar15.com was down. It’s a little dated now that you can read the full article [url=http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/10/national/10SOLD.html] here[/url] (link requires registration - it’s free, and you can spoof it.)

The New York Times has devoted more than a half page, all six columns, to a story about this soldier in the Sunday edition. This is the amount of space that this paper would normally devote to the death of a Nobel prize winner, a national politician , or some famous personality.

This story is not yet on the web site, but the Sunday NYT arrives at my house on Sat night.

I’ll quote a few bits of this remarkable young mans life. I think it’ll show you why the NYT took an interest in him.

The story is titled “ Sharing Memories of a Young Athlete, Teacher and Soldier”.

( These quotes are taken from the story, there is a lot more there if you read the full article.)

“Marc Anderson was born in 1972 in Fort Benning, Ga., where his father was a drill sergeant. ( Sgt. Anderson was a wounded Vietnam vet.)”

“Sgt Anderson retired, and settled down in Alliance, OH.”

“Marc Anderson lettered on Alliance’s HS football team as a sophomore.”

“But his real passion was being a shot-putter”

“He placed third in the Ohio HS championship.”

“He loved math, and was invited into the National Honor Society.”

“He attended Case Western Reserve Univ for 2 years, as an engineering student, before transferring to Fla. State”.

“[u]Graduated FSU with a 4.0 GPA [/u]and was honored as FSU top male athlete of the year, 1995".

He then became a math teacher at a FL magnet middle school - the NYT then describes, in great detail, the high regard students and teachers felt for him.

Three years latter he joined the Army.

Speaking to his father - “You served, John served, Steve served, and now it’s my time.”

John, his brother, 36, is an active duty Marine.

Specialist Anderson became a Ranger, and lost a tooth while fast-roping with his M240 in training. Thought out his Army service he remained in contact with many of his former students who today credit him with much of their success.

-END-

Now he is dead. KIA in Afghanistan. GWB was with the Anderson family when he was seen with a few tears in his eyes.

KIA while defending me, defending you.

There are some members of this board who have done as much as this man, maybe even more. I am not one of them.

I salute you. I salute Marc Anderson and his family.

Mike

Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the Children of God.

Only the best can defend us and I'm glad he was there to do it!  I hope he rests in peace and his family realizes how much this nation loves him and his brothers.