War is a terrible thing and loosing even one solder at a time is bad enough, but losing 31 at one time is a terrible thing.  It's like a nightmare.  That's what happens on January 26, 2005, when the helicopter with 30 Marines and a Saylor was KIA was shot down while on a mission in Iraq.  One among the 31 brave men was one of our local soldiers named Lance Cpl. Jonathan E. Etterling from Wheelersburg, OH.

 

As you already read about Jonathan, he was a brave and courageous young man.  His father said he knew something was up when Jon called home that day and said he just wanted to hear his mom and dad's voice and let them know he loved them.  That was the last time they heard his voice.  The last time they saw their son was when he came home in a coffin with the US Flag draped over it.

 

We all miss Jonathan very much and we are sure the communities of the other 30 feel the same as we do.  We ask an interest in everyone's prayers for the families, loved ones and friends of these true Americans who laid down their lives for us all in America.