Staff Sgt. Patrick Kutschbach

On Tuesday, my assignment, along with a reporter, was to knock on the Kutschbach's door in Kennedy Township. They had just received word that their loved one, Patrick Kutschbach, a Green Beret, was killed north of the Afghan capital of Kabul when his vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire, according to U.S. military officials. He was 25. We spoke with Patrick's brother who was holding his brother's one-year old son. "He's oblivious to all this," he said with tears in his eyes and informed us the military was still inside the home helping the family make funeral arrangements. I didn't take any photographs and instead offered my condolences to the family and headed back my car. I started thinking that of all the things we complain about in the business, this is worst part of our jobs and that for over 5 years journalists have knocked on over 3,000 family's doors and nearly each and every time they did exactly the same as us and offered their condolences, went back to their cars, and headed back to their offices. The real story is behind their door at that moment. As journalists, we need to let the families know that we are there because we care, because our readers care, and the fact that we are still showing up on their doorsteps is a reflection on the countries desire to know those who gave their lives for this country. The day we stop showing up on their doorsteps is a sad day for America. By telling the stories of these soldiers we are keeping their voices alive and honoring them in the best way we can..by remembering.