The Virginian-Pilot
©
A 2007 graduate of Old Dominion University who went on to join the Army was killed Monday in an explosion in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Spc. William Middleton, 26, grew up in Richmond. He studied communication at ODU, then joined the Army in 2009.
An infantryman who went by his middle name, Kyle, Middleton had been in Afghanistan about six months.
The military has not yet released details about his death but his mother, Marlene Blackburn, said he was on a foot patrol when a homemade bomb exploded nearby.
"He joined the Army because he liked being part of a team - he loved camaraderie," said Blackburn, speaking by phone Tuesday night from Richmond. "And he wanted colorful stories to tell his grandchildren."
Blackburn said her son was an accomplished soccer player. As a boy he traveled all over for tournaments, including to Holland when he was 12. During his junior year at ODU, he studied abroad and played soccer in England.
"After soccer, I think he missed being part of a team," Blackburn said. "He decided the Army was what he wanted, and he's the kind of person who always follows through. So he did it."
Middleton was assigned to the 101st Airborne Divisions' 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Campbell, Ky. After serving as a radio operator he became a grenadier.
He wasn't married. He had one sibling, a half brother, his mother said.
She said she last spoke to her son Saturday. "He said he'd just gotten the package I sent," Blackburn said. "He sounded good - happy."
Middleton's body is scheduled to arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware today.
Corinne Reilly, (757) 446-2949, corinne.reilly@pilotonline.com
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My Condolences
I wish to extend my heart felt condolences to the family and friends of this valient warrior. As one who served, I known the pain that the family is expierencing. May the Grand Creater of the Universe, and the warriors who gone before hime receive your soul in Heaven.
AN AMERICAN HERO
Contrast this extraordinarily courageous young military hero to the self-absorbed American civilian crybabies who are whining about TSA patdowns at the airport. The former is willing to get blown apart in the war on terrorism; the latter don't want their precious body parts touched in an effort to combat terrorism. Spc. Middleton didn't make the ultimate sacrifice in vain....his legend teaches us all what makes a person truly worthy and honorable.
Why take away from this
Why take away from this young man's willingness to serve by mixing it up with the TSA issue? That's just disrespecting him and his family's sacrifice.
Thank you
Thank you for your service. You will always be a hero and God Bless you and your family.
ONE EXPLAINATION/COMMENT
As a veteran and a son in the army I feel I qualify to make a comment. My prayers go out to this family. The vast majority of this country is a grateful nation. However, I read about more military members losing their lives and it pains me. In my opinion, this young Soldier is a complete waste of what was a promising young man. He was protecting what from whom? For whose freedom does this benefit? I see nothing but continued attacks on our liberty here. My sorrow for the family and their grief, but we have to ask ourselves. Was his life worth it for the State's wars? I mean that, I have talked to those in theater and the ROE stacks the deck against them. I read of the war on our borders and the American civilians being killed and we're doing NOTHING. But it's okay to go to some God forsaken desert halfway around the world and spill our guts for a people who don't even care or like us for that matter.
100% with the Middletons in spirit, anti war petition elsewher
chocalatelab,
As the sister of a soldier, an Army MP who served from 1969-1972--during THE MOST unpopular war, I can understand your feelings. HOWEVER, once a person commits, takes the step, and is deployed, we owe our allegiance to his spirit, his sacrifice and the sacrifice of his family--to honor him, without qualification. Forever his soul will be honored for HIS PERSONAL commitment, regardless of the "worth" of the war as you measure.
I urge you to write your congressman, senators, visit Washington, do what your conscience demands. but please don't ever diminish the honor of our fallen, with an anti-war protest during his eulogy.
Rest in Peace, young man.
Rest in Peace, young man.
Agree or Disagree
Well now this is a free country thanks to our young men and women who give their life to keep it that way. Those of you who give a "thumbs down" to a comment offering sympathy during a family's loss, I say this to you:
KMA!! You must be really proud of yourself for dissing a family in a time of loss. Just remember, those folks who died for you. What a waste to die for someone like you.
The 'thumbs down' commenters
We don't really need to be upset by this group, they thrive on being part of the unknown. generally the are referred to as 'Lurkers'. It might be they lack the nerve to openly make a comment, or they simply want to stir dissent. I was always told to, "Consider the source and consider the source inconsiderate."
In a situation like this you know they
are sickos, losers who can only be controversial by being anonymous and contrary. They are cowards, unlike this young couragous man who gave his life for his country. My deepest sympathies for those who knew and loved him.