Mourning the Loss of Our Own-Original Post 12 September 2006

It is with much sadness and sorrow that I make this post. I NEVER wanted to have to do this.
Pfc. Anthony P. Seig would have marked his 20th birthday next week. Instead, the 2005 graduate of East Central High School in St. Leon, Ind., died in Iraq without making it out of his teens.
Monday, his family in Sunman, Ind., about 30 miles west of Cincinnati, gathered with friends to install a flag pole in the front yard. In the cement base, they inscribed his birth date and the day he died -- Saturday -- before hoisting an American flag to half-staff."He's certainly our hero,'' said his aunt, Vicki Jenkins. "He was very proud to serve his country. He felt very strongly about serving his country.''Seig joined the Army shortly after graduating from high school and left for Iraq June 24. He recently had spoken to his girlfriend and the two had talked about marriage."It was a happy conversation," his mother, Linda Seig, said Monday."He took great pride in being an MP," she said. "He felt like what he was doing was important and it mattered."Seig was assigned to the 16th Military Police Brigade, based at Fort Bragg, N.C.Called Tony by his family and friends, the high school football player was bright, quick-witted and had a gift for telling and writing stories, his aunt said.For now, the family is in disbelief, still awaiting details of Seig's death from military officials.When he enlisted last year, her nephew knew the odds were high he would be deployed to a war zone, in Iraq or Afghanistan."He said he wanted to be one of the good guys, and he wanted to protect us," she said. "A lot of times, we take our freedom for granted, but he was protecting us."Thank you to the Indianapolis Star for this article. I couldn't have said it any better.I met Tony briefly at the deployment ceremony. Lou was very proud to introduce me to his "brothers". I am so glad I got the chance to meet such a fine young man.If anyone would like to send a card to Tony's parents, their address is:24017 Weisburg RdSunman, IN 47041-9417I plan on attending the funeral services for PFC Seig, as does Mrs. Calabro-PFC Calabros mother. We will do this with much sorrow & pride in our hearts.I am sorry I haven't posted about this tragedy sooner, but my heart just wouldn't let me. When I learn of the funeral arrangements-I will post to this blog.Thank you and God Bless. And may God say a special prayer for our soldiers tonight.