I was saddened today when I received word that one of the soldiers I was with in Afghanistan, 1st Lt. Nick A. Dewhirst, 25, of Onalaska, WI a soldier with the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) out of Fort Campbell, KY was killed in action. 1st Lt. Dewhirst died when his convoy came under attack by individuals using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. For his service to the United States of America, and for his sacrifice, Lt. Dewhirst has my eternal gratitude.

1st. Lt. Nick A. Dewhirst (at right) on a night mission in the Khost Province of Afghanistan.