Former soldier killed in Iraq (Merc)

[leftchick]

http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/southjersey/m051805b.htm

A former Bordentown City resident on his third tour as a private security guard in Iraq was killed by sniper fire last week.

Thomas Jaichner, 33, who fought with the Alabama National Guard in Afghanistan after Sept. 11, was guarding an American diplomat in Ramadi for the company Blackwater USA when he was shot May 10.

"He didn't just dream, he followed his dreams," said his mother, Merle Barrett of Bordentown City. "You can't imagine how my heart is broken."

<snip>

Blackwater USA spokesman Chris Bertelli said the diplomat Jaichner was guarding when he was shot was unharmed. He did not give further details.

[Lone_Voice]

1. wow...I knew him

I knew Tom...he was a good person in high school (I graduated from Northern Burlington two years after he did). I never knew what became of him after wards, and to see this now is saddening.

[leetrisck]

2. Prayers

for all

[DrDebug]

3. And he will not be counted either

Third tour as a private security guard in Iraq
Even the security guards make many tours.

RIP

[ausiedownunderground]

4. Lone_voice don't worry - he was following his dreams !

Just like the Italian intelligence chief protecting journalist Segrana some bodyguards do more than the call of duty. For what i don't know. He's dead and some slimey American Rethuglican diplomat gets to continue their "sleaze"! in Iraq for a few more weeks! What was the point??

[leftchick]

5. Apparently this was the point...

though I hardly think it was worth the risk....

~But these companies also pay handsomely for the dangerous work, and Bill Jaichner said his son was banking his income so he and his wife of two years could buy a home.~

[Toots]

6. Maybe he can spend all his money where he is now.

Live by the sword die by the sword. I'm sorry for his parents I am sure they loved him but somewhere he went wrong.

[leetrisck]

7. bush is to blame for all of this

none of this would be happening if it wasn't for bush. Trying to buy a home - I hardly think what you're saying applies. That's what most of them are doing over there - because of bush.

[NNN0LHI]

8. I know quite a few people who are buying homes who are not in Iraq n/t

[leetrisck]

9. And I know quite a few in Iraq and several

other Mideast countries who are active duty, veterans, cops, firefighters, retired military, etc who ARE THERE to try to put food on the table and to buy homes. Hurray for those who have the jobs here to do it. bush's economy you know.