My good friend and a true blue American, 1st LT Camden Bock. He'll be laid to rest in two days in his hometown of New Madrid, MO.

"Amos Camden Riley Bock, 24, was killed by hostile enemy action on Oct. 23, 2006, in Baghdad, Iraq, while leading his platoon on patrol.

Born Jan. 30, 1982, in Cape Girardeau, son of H. Riley Bock and Jill Ann Plummer Bock of New Madrid, he was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in New Madrid. A 2000 graduate of New Madrid County Central High School, he was a member of the National Honor Society and co-captain of the school’s wrestling team. While in high school he joined the National Guard, serving as part of the 1140th Engineer Battalion, Company C in Sikeston, until his acceptance to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

At West Point he was a member of the school’s Skeet and Trap Team and the Knights of Columbus and was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation. He completed Airborne Assault training in 2003 and in 2005 completed his Ranger training. Currently he was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Ky., and was a 1st lieutenant. In November 2005, his unit was deployed to Baghdad, where, as a field artillery officer and platoon leader, he was assigned to patrol and combat security operations in the southern part of the city."