Specialist Dustin R. Donica
U.S. Army 07/11/84-12/28/06 Spring, TX Klein High School Army Specialist Dustin Ross Donica served in the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division of Fort Richardson, Alaska. Dustin grew up in Spring, Texas, outside of Houston. In 2003, the Klein High School graduate left the University of Texas and enlisted in the United States Army. When Dustin was asked about joining the Army, he said, ``I've grown up in a very privileged area. When most people of my generation are asked to do something, their first thought is, how will this benefit me? I need to do this so that my first thought is, how does it benefit others.'' No wonder people said Dustin had a sense of honor and duty. Traits that are very rare in our culture. Dustin was constantly concerned for the well-being of his family back home. But on December 28, 2006, at the dynamic age of 22, Dustin Donica was killed in Iraq, conducting combat operations against the anti-Iraqi forces in the city of Karmah in the Al Anbar Province. As in many other times in his life, Dustin was standing guard, protecting his fellow soldiers in arms when he received his fatal injuries. Dustin Donica's name was the example of bravery, courage and duty. Dustin, like those who came before him, stopped at nothing to defend freedom. Our American duty, the duty for all of us that are left behind, is to honor America's sons, like Dustin Donica. Dustin was laid to rest with full military honors in Klein Memorial Park Cemetery in Texas. These young Americans like Dustin are a rare breed. They are the American breed, and we thank them and their families.