Sad news hits my hometown about the first casualties of the war. Marine Major Jay Aubin was a junior at Skowhegan Area High School when I was a freshman. I can remember him as a very fun and kind person. I was on the wrestling team with him and can remember him treating the new freshman as well as he treated upper-classmen. He ALWAYS had a smile on his face whenever you saw him in the halls. I'm sure he was a great Marine and an asset to whatever unit he was assigned to.

Sometimes the people of Maine can feel left on the sidelines and not victimized by all that goes on in the US - this sad event has brought it home hard. My prayers and thoughts go out to his mother and brothers. I salute you all.

Related story can be found here - http://www.centralmaine.com/news/stories/030322helicopt.shtml