sMoRTy71.com: Lost a fraternity brother in Iraq

Lost a fraternity brother in Iraq
Just got an e-mail that one of my fraternity brothers, Chris Petty, was killed in Iraq on Monday. Here is the story as it appeared in the Huntington Herald-Dispatch:

"In the early hours of Monday, U.S. Army Capt. Christopher Petty became one of the 2,209 casualties of Iraqi Freedom since March 19, 2003.

Petty is married to the former Debbie Hunt, daughter of Dr. John Hunt of Huntington and the late Ann Hunt.

He is a 1996 Marshall University graduate, with a degree in criminal justice, and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Petty and his wife married in June 1999 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Huntington.

Along with four others, Petty, 33, died when a roadside bomb detonated near the Humvee they were driving during a convoy from Baghdad to Najaf to see the progress being made on rehabilitating schools.

Others killed in the bombing were Maj. William F. Hecker III, 37, of St. Louis; Sgt. 1st Class Stephen J. White, 39, of Talladega, Ala.; Sgt. Johnny J. Peralex Jr., 25, of Kingsville, Texas; and Pvt. Robbie M. Mariano, 21, of Stockton, Calif.

This was Petty's second tour of duty in Iraq with his unit, and he was in command of a section of the 3-16 FA Battalion.

Hunt said his son-in-law didn't have to go back, but felt a responsibility to his unit and its members.

In a message today to his friends and family, Paul Petty said his son was "in harm's way out of dedication to his comrades and soldiers. There was no question in his mind that he had to go back with his soldiers for the second deployment. He would never expect them to do anything he wouldn't do himself."

Paul Petty also wrote his son went "despite his frustrations with the Army and a full awareness of what was right and wrong about Iraq."

Hunt said his son-in-law had a ready smile and willingness to help. Petty became a father for the second time last October and was able to see the child they named Owen before returning to Iraq. The couple has another child, Oliver, born in 2002. The four Pettys were pictured on this year's family Christmas card with Petty holding newborn Owen.

Once Petty's body is returned to the United States, plans are being made for burial in Arlington National Cemetery, which had been his request."

Chris was a great guy. We both lived in the fraternity house at the same time and shared a lot of fun times together. In particular, I remember a July 4th celebration where Chris bought a ton of fireworks that ultimately set a neighboring apartment building's dumpster on fire. Petty jumped into the dumpster to extinguish the flames and emerged covered in soot. As he got back to launching more fireworks, the dumpster burst into flames again. I can't remember how we eventually got it put out; however, I'll never forget how much fun Chris was having the entire time.

I hadn't spoken to Chris since I graduated, so I didn't know that he had joined the Army. Though with both of his parents in the government, it isn't a surprise to hear that he would choose to serve his country.

My thoughts go out to Deb, who he met while we were in college, and their 2 young children.

UPDATE: The original story from the Herald-Dispatch contains the following photo of Chris with his family.