Marine from Connecticut killed in Iraq, father says (#2410)

[leftchick]

http://www.wfsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=4861792

SUFFIELD, Conn. -- A U.S. Marine from this small town was killed in Iraq while on foot patrol, his father said Thursday.


Stephen Bixler, 20, was killed Wednesday while on his second tour of duty in Iraq, said his father, Richard. He served in Fallujah, an insurgency hotbed, both times, his father said.

"He was on a foot patrol, that's all we know right now," Bixler said. "We were very proud of what he was doing. He would say a lot of positive things. He was totally committed to his mission."

An Eagle Scout, Bixler joined the Marines shortly after graduating from Suffield High School in 2003, his father said.

Bixler is the 30th person from Connecticut who has died since March 2002 in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two of those killed were civilian workers.

[DrDebug]

1. The folly of war. Dad is proud that he was killed

The bombs of Fallujah have only given rise to hatred and revenge.
The scars of Ypres have never healed.
The bombs on Warsaw have never been forgotten.
The firestorm on Dresden has left a permanent imprint.
The massacre at My Lai Massacre is still in people mind.
Kent State is remembered on this day.
Why are people so arrogant to think that Fallujah will be forgotten.

Please forgive this father for his faulty way of thinking. May he gain wisdom and may that prevent another son from being killed for nothing.