So, as fate or providence or the will of God would have it, our first blog note is not a great one. Our wonderful Fourth of July was slightly blemished by the news that I received yesterday that a friend of mine was killed in Afghanistan earlier that morning. It is with great sadness that I continue my every day duties and responsibilities knowing that at least one of my comrades will not be coming home. Only those who have lost some one close to them knows the terrible feeling that follows. My prayers go out to the family of the fallen soldier, and I pray fervently that the rest of my friends will return safe and sound.