My Hero, PFC Anthony D'Agostino.

PFC Anthony D'Agostino, 20, of Waterbury, Conn.; assigned to the 16th

Signal Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas; killed Nov. 2 when insurgents shot

down his CH-47 Chinook helicopter near Fallujah, Iraq.

In letters and e-mails from Iraq, PFC Anthony D'Agostino asked his

family for Kool-Aid to flavor his water, pictures of his cousins,

crossword puzzles and books to help him learn Spanish. "He was always

looking for ways to better himself," said his aunt, Beth Santos. "He

wanted to make good use of his time over there." D'Agostino was among 16

soldiers who died in the Nov. 2 downing of an Army helicopter carrying

troops from Iraq on leave. Stationed at Fort Hood, he would have turned

21 on Nov. 6. Born at Fort Gordon, Ga., while his father was in the

military, D'Agostino graduated from high school in Waterbury, Conn.,

with a specialty in electricity. D'Agostino joined the military after

the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, looking for an education, career

and a place to belong, Santos said. He hoped to go to the U.S. Military

Academy. When he wrote letters or e-mails to home from Iraq, he talked

about the hot weather and how uncomfortable the situation was, Santos

said. He was proud to be serving in Iraq, family members said. But his

family was nervous. "You never stop worrying," said his aunt, Beth

Santos.

Daniel Higdon

SGT, USA

1 AD STB Evac NCOIC

VOIP 242-1046

"Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with

minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night.

The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He

doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs,

his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not

concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies.

He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.

He knows only The Cause.

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