60-year-old is oldest Army soldier killed in Iraq

[John317]

60-year-old is oldest Army soldier killed in Iraq

By AMANDA LEE MYERS, Associated Press Writer – Thu May 14, 7:28 pm ET

PHOENIX – A 60-year-old Vietnam War veteran killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq has become the oldest Army soldier to die in that conflict, the military said Thursday.

Maj. Steven Hutchison, of Scottsdale, Ariz., served in Vietnam and wanted to re-enlist immediately after the 9/11 terror attacks, but that his wife was against it, his brother said.

Richard Hutchison told The Associated Press on Thursday that when she died, "a part of him died" so he signed up in July 2007.

"He was very devoted to the service and to his country," Richard Hutchison said.

He described him as a great big brother and friend. "I didn't want him to go," he said through tears, adding that he loved his brother "so much."

The Pentagon said Steven Hutchison was killed in Iraq on Sunday. Army spokesman Lt. Col. Nathan Banks said Thursday that Hutchison was the oldest Army soldier killed in Iraq.

An Associated Press database of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan shows that Hutchison is the oldest member of any service branch killed since the wars broke out.

Hutchison served in Afghanistan for a year before deploying to Iraq in October, heading a 12-soldier team that trained the Iraqi military, his brother said. Later, he was assigned to help secure Iraq's southern border.

Hutchinson, who grew up in California, taught psychology at two state colleges then worked at a health care corporation in Arizona before retiring and re-entering the service, his brother said.

He was part of the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kan.

[LifeHiscost]

PHOENIX – A 60-year-old Vietnam War veteran killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq has become the oldest Army soldier to die in that conflict, the military said Thursday.

One of the saddest realities about warfare is that it can often take the noblest, brightest, and more often the youngest of a country's men and women. Some warfaring individuals seem to have every bit as much of a sense of personal self sacrifice for their fellow human beings, as the finest of Christians. Perhaps, in some cases, it could be that there is a Divine calling to do battle against an earthly enemy, as David was called. However, the Divine call doesn't seem to abrogate a principle effective in the devil's domain.

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Matthew 26:52 NIV"

Regards!

[phkrause]

Yes its sad all right. I guess maybe if I still can't find a job when my unemployment benefits run out I can re-enlist in the army. I wonder if special forces would still take me. hahaha

pk

[phkrause]

At least we'd have a good paying job, and lots of benefits.

pk

[LifeHiscost]

At least we'd have a good paying job, and lots of benefits.

pk

OTOH, as a disciple of Christ, I've never seen His example to me as viewing down the barrel of a rifle in order to blow somebody away.

Just a thought.

Regards!

[phkrause]

I would go in as a medic, like I was during the vietnam war. I would not carry arms as before. Besides at 61 I don't believe that I would be accepted. And on top of all that it was a joke as my age would be a big problem. If you are in the military you could probably get to that age but I believe to sign up you have to be under 35.

pk

[olger]

Good for you PK, on the "no arms" thing. I am inspired by you.

og

[John317]

At least we'd have a good paying job, and lots of benefits.

pk

Notice the line: "He was very devoted to the service and to his country," Richard Hutchison said.