Aaron was a beautiful, loving son, and friend to many. Aaron was my only son and only grandson on my side of the family. He was killed in Baghdad of wounds sustained when his mounted patrol came in contact with enemy forces using small-arms fire and an improvised explosive device. He was only 19. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington. But his true home was in Hampton Roads. He is Gone You can shed a tear that he is gone or you can smile because he has lived You can close your eyes and pray he'll come back or you can open your eyes and see all he's left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see him or you can be full of the love you shared You can turn your back on tomorrow and live for yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember and only that he's gone or you can cherish his memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what he'd want: smile, open your eyes love and go on. (Anon)

Tiina Houchins, Mother