SSgt Austin Anderson

Austin served in Iraq with my husband.  When he deployed the second time, Austin was my youngest daughter's date to the Marine Corp Ball (she was just 8 years old).  He tortured my older daughter's guy friends, assuring they were all appropriately intimidated.  He could make everyone laugh till they cried and their sides hurt. He had a smile that was infectious.  He did not drink, smoke or cuss.  He attended church regularly.  Even after two tours in Iraq, he did not let his demons rule his life.  He lived for others.  He was beautiful on the inside and out.

This past Friday night, he was in a plane crash with 4 other friends.  Three of them perished in the crash.  Austin pulled a 22 year old girl from the crash and went for help.  He was burned over 90% of his body.  He died early Saturday morning.  The girl he saved is in serious condition but they are hopeful.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/14/hannah-luce-kansas-plane-crash_n_1516176.html

This news has been difficult for all of his Marine family.  I cannot image how it is for his family and fiance.  He was a good Marine but when he came home, he continued to be a good man.  And not many can claim that.   The world was a better place because of him.  I hope that we are all better people for having known him.

My daughters cried when I told them.  This weekend was the first time in a long time I saw my husband cry.   And though I have tried several times not to, I have cried every day since the accident.  I think all of our guys would agree that there was not a better man among them.  I can only hope that losing him inspires them to be better, do better and to achieve something truly great. I know it has me.

We will not be discouraged by your death, but motivated by the life you lived