The war hit close to home this week

[Bob Potter]

Even as an irregular regular here, I have come to feel at home among you experts, vets, mechanics, historians, and curmudgeons, so I hope you don't mind my sharing this.

One of our alums was killed last week in Baghdad by an IED. Some of you may recall that I teach in an all-girls Catholic High school. Right, all girls -- that's what makes this even harder. Liz Loncki graduated in 2001. She was apparently one helluva volleyball player, a serious but not cut-throat competitor, a better-than-average student, and an all-around "good Joe." She never had to put up with me in class, and I am ashamed to admit that I had to pull an old yearbook to put a face on the name. She started college but left to join the Air Force. She said, after 9/11, she had to DO something. She became an explosive ordnance disposal technician. Her entire team was killed these damned monsters. She was due to rotate home this month, and her boy friend was set to ask her folks' permission (yep, that's the way he phrased it) to marry her.

Forgive me if I show my age, but that's a helluva job for a woman. She was really good at it.

So I will try to stand taller, and will be prouder of all of our people who stand between us and them.

Bob