Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2009, Army Sergeant 1st Class Kenneth W. Westbrook, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, died from injuries sustained in Afghanistan a month earlier when insurgents attacked his unit in Ganjigal Valley. The story of that day is too long to relate here, but will be of interest to many: http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2012/02/negligent-leadership-killed-sfc-kenneth-westbrook.html The man who pulled Sgt. Westbrook to safety was Captain William Swenson, who received the Medal of Honor for his selfless bravery that day, in fighting more than 60 Taliban, refusing to surrender, and risking his life to return three times to the kill zone to recover injured comrades. On his third trip he was accompanied by then-Marine Cpl. Dakota Meyer, who also received the Medal of Honor for his actions that day. You can read about Sgt. Westbrook’s rescue here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2461751/A-hero-heroes-Army-Captain-filmed-kissing-wounded-comrade-fought-single-handedly-seven-hours-60-Taliban-awarded-Medal-Honor--day-enlists.html#ixzz4MLgVkbWG

Sergeant Westbrook was set to retire within a month, after twenty-two years of service; sadly for their family, his brother had been killed while serving in Iraq in 2005 - both sons had been inspired by their father’s 21-year army service.

Kenneth, of Fountain, Colorado, was 41 years old, and married with three sons.