09-29-2006
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County Executive
We are the ones we've been waiting for.
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Member Since: Feb 2005
Location: California
Posts: 382
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Re: The Iraq Page, RIP soldiers
 
Bobby Callahan
Quote:
News Record -- HIGH POINT -- Bobby Callahan wasn't always the best kid.
He dropped out of Southwest Guilford High School in the 10th grade to be home-schooled. He found himself arguing with his parents quite a bit. And he drank.
Then at 18, Callahan decided it was time for a change: He thought the Army might be his savior.
Callahan enlisted and found a home.
"The thing I'm most proud of is how he blossomed," his father, David Callahan, said. "In boot camp, he was talking about quitting. Then, he just turned into a man."
Army Spc. Robert Thomas Callahan died Tuesday in Iraq when the vehicle in which he was riding overturned. He was 22 and stationed in the Baghdad region.
The Army had turned Bobby Callahan's life around, his family said Thursday. He straightened up and apologized to his parents for giving them a hard time during his teenage years.
He had fallen in love and married in January. His wife, Kristen Callahan, lives in Syracuse, N.Y., near where he was stationed. He was able to buy a new car -- an Acura RSX -- something that had meant a lot to him.
"The Army and Kristen really helped him out a lot," his mother, Robin Minor said. "He was a sweetheart. He had a huge heart, was nice to everybody and never met a stranger."
Callahan was assigned to the Fourth Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, part of the 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, N.Y.
He had been in Iraq for about a month and was starting his second tour of duty there.
The first time around, he was awarded an Army Commendation Medal with valor for saving another soldier's life while under enemy mortar fire.
In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by a brother, Sean Callahan, a sister, Sarah Callahan, and step-father, Ben Minor.
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Rest in peace Bobby.
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