Jeff Fortenberry: “Army Captain Joel Cahill was buried in Arlington Cemetery today. Captain Cahill was killed in Iraq by an improvised…”

“Army Captain Joel Cahill was buried in Arlington Cemetery today. Captain Cahill was killed in Iraq by an improvised explosive device. He grew up near Omaha. He leaves behind Mary his wife and their two little girls. Army Specialist Darren Howe was laid to rest in Beatrice, Nebraska last week. He died of wounds from an explosive device that hit his personnel carrier. Badly burned, Specialist Howe drove to safety, then helped his men out of the rear. He was 21 and left behind his wife Nakia and their two small children. I spoke with JoDee, Darren's mom, in what had to be some of her most difficult hours following Darren's death. She had the gentleness of spirit, humility of heart and pride of her son's work to thank me and the Congress for the decisions that have been made, saying: We support what you are doing. Iraq is a faraway land remote from the traditions and culture of the Great Plains, the boyhood homes of Joel and Darren. Yet I am certain that in that isolated place where they gave their lives, these men understood what was at stake. That they fought for something bigger than themselves, something that transcends the snapshot of a political debate. They fought out of duty to country, they fought to defend, they fought for the soul of the free world.”