Arnold Duplantier II, 26

A cousin, a brother, a friend; we lost all three in June of 2005. More than three years have passed, but time wears hard. We continue to this day to keep our family closer than ever, but there's still one sea empty at the table. Requiescat in Pace.

My daddy has two children.Hi my name is Ethean Joseph Duplantier. I am 7years old. My birthday is June 23,2005. My daddy died the day before my 3rd birthday. I love you daddy. xoxoxo your buddy.Happy memorial day

Arnold was my big brother. I may not have known him as much as I would have liked but his memory will always live on in my heart. I wish I could have had my big brother around for a while longer, but he is in a good place now. I love you Arnie. XOXOXO Nicole

June 27, 2005

On Sunday at 1900 hours, I sat amongst my brothers in arms under the hot Iraqi sun. As the sun began its trek over the horizon, it shined directly into my face. Sweat poured from every part of my body due to the heat. Warm gusts of wind brought no cooling comfort, but rather dirt and dust upon the wet skin of my face and into my eyes. Tears welled in my eyes, flushing out the sweat and dust, but they were not caused by these. I sat there knowing the other soldiers of "Charlie Rock" were experiencing the same discomfort as I, yet we all endured it. I not only endured it, I embraced it, for I was alive and able to feel such things. Unfortunately, Sergeant Arnold Duplantier II will never again feel such discomfort, pain, or even pleasure, or joy.

On June 22nd, a sniper's bullet found its mark and took the life of this outstanding soldier; this honorable man. Arnold was the type of guy that became your friend the moment you met him. He was the kind of man everyone could look up to, and depend on. He loved his wife, and absolutely adored his little girl. He will be missed, and will never be forgotten.

His wife lost a loving husband. His little girl lost her daddy. "Charlie Rock" has lost a damn fine soldier; a brother. Though his loss is a tremendous one, I find comfort knowing his was an honorable death. He was a Sergeant of infantry, a true warrior performing his duty at the time of his death. He was not killed by the cowardly act of some lesser being setting off a bomb. He did not just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time during a mortar attack, or catch a stray bullet. It was no accident. A skilled and professional warrior of the other side took careful aim, and squeezed the trigger. It was a well placed shot that avoided Arnold's bullet proof plate, and entered his chest, inflicting a mortal wound. If I am to die on this foreign ground, I can only hope for a death as honorable as his.

Throughout the memorial service, and while I stood in line to salute this brave man one last time, I took a good look around. I saw the hurt on people's faces. I saw sadness, but I also saw determination. Behind us in an open lot, soldiers prepared their vehicles for their next patrol. I watched as they mounted the machine guns in the turrets, and donned their body armor and equipment. Two Blackhawk helicopters lifted off and flew into the setting sun, then faded out of view. These were just a couple reminders that despite our set back, there is still a mission to complete, and we are all determined to accomplish this mission. In honor of Sergeant Arnold Duplantier II, and the others who have made that ultimate sacrifice, we must continue. Three hours later, I was on patrol.

always doin somethin crazy around school...