Soldier's death reminds us all that war has a face

There is no reason anyone reading this editorial would ever know Emerson Brand.

He's a 29-year-old soldier from Rigby, stationed in Iraq.

He was also one of four soldiers killed Saturday when an improvised explosive device detonated near their unit. Two other Idaho soldiers were also injured.

Sgt. Brand was the 22nd Idaho resident killed in Iraq since the US invaded Iraq in March 2003.

On Sunday, in two separate airports, I witnessed two scenes that cut through all of the politicking about this war.

In Palm Springs, a young man was surrounded by his family before boarding a USAir flight to Kuwait. Dad, a former soldier, stood proud as he told his son to "be careful." He then patted his son's head. That was the same head he had patted for 20 years.

Mom told us she wouldn't cry. She did.

The young soldier had just completed basic training and was going to war. This would be the first time he had been more than 100 miles from home.

In Spokane, around 11 p.m., while waiting for our luggage, we saw a family gathered around a handwritten sign that welcomed Daddy back. There was a young daughter who was around 6, who was bleary eyed but anxiously waiting for Dad. There was the young wife and a whole lot of relatives. Soon, tears of joy would flow.

The United States is at war and as long as we are, there will be sons and daughters leaving for war and there will be sons and daughters returning from war.

There will also be sons and daughters who will never come home.

These scenes reminded me that war does have a face and its a face I need to remember as I go through my daily routine of earning a living, being a father and Dad, etc.

Thank you, Sgt. Brand. Even though we never met, I am grateful you were there to protect me.

David Keyes is publisher of the Daily Bee.