Fallen Soldiers and Heroes

Sergeant Joseph Daniel Hunt-Died by an IED August 22, 2005, near Samarrah along with one other soldier, injuring two more. Joey was always smiling and that is the one thing we will always remember. He believed in what he was doing in Iraq. He loved the children and the people he met. He had been home just a few weeks before he died and shared with his family and friends many stories of the good things they were doing in Iraq. He knew the danger he was in but felt it was his duty to protect America. Joey was a few weeks from coming home from his first tour of duty. The sadness we feel is sometimes overwhelming. The joy we also feel is sometimes overwhelming. But each day we know that he is in a better place smiling down upon us. Joey left behind two boys, Caleb and Josh; his parents Marsha and Tim Hunt; two sisters, Leslie and Kristen; grandparents, uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends from all over the world. The outpouring of love was amazing after he died. People who didn't know Joey sent condolences and came to the funeral. We also had our share of the "Lauren Gibbs" who felt it necessary to also contact us in our time of grief. All I had to say about them was that Joey and countless others died, since the pilgrims came to America, in an effort to give them their right to free speech. We might not like the war but it is our duty to support the soldiers fighting it. I've had the book Ever After for a few months but could not read it. I finally decided it was time. Even though it brought painful memories it also helped me to understand Joey's compassion for the Iraqi people. Thank you for providing a place in the soldiers memory, Samantha Cantrell