Body of Idaho soldier Sgt. Devin Daniels comes home

Body of Idaho soldier Sgt. Devin Daniels comes home
As the war on terror passes a major milestone, an Idaho family is emblematic of its toll on the state
BY KATHLEEN KRELLER - kkreller@idahostatesman.com
Copyright: © 2011 Idaho Statesman
Published: 09/14/11

U.S. Army Sgt. Devin Daniels returned to Idaho from Afghanistan Tuesday afternoon.

At Boise’s Gowen Field, his family encircled the flag-draped casket he will be buried in. Daniels, 22, was killed Aug. 25 by a roadside bomb.

Standing near Daniels’ wife, Samantha, and 7-month-old daughter, Olivia, was Chaplain (Maj.) Rob Morris. He read from 1 Corinthians 15.

“Death is swallowed up in victory,” Morris read. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

Whether coalition forces will ultimately prevail in the war on terror remains to be seen. But like Daniels and his family, Idaho has paid a price in the effort.

The state ranks 17th in the nation for the number of soldiers per capita killed in the war in Iraq, according to StateMaster.com.

“One life is a huge price for any family or community to pay,” said Col. Tim Marsano, spokesman for the Idaho National Guard.
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