I received an email about a week ago from Gunnar Becker’s Mom, Debey. The subject line was in reference to my post awhile back about all the “non-hostile, unexplained deaths in Iraq. A simple email. Two links.

Her son, US Private 1st Class Gunnar D. Becker, was on the list I posted.

US Private 1st Class Gunnar D. Becker Mosul (near) - Ninawa Non-hostile - unspecified injury

He died on January 13, 2005. My daughter’s birthday. Gunnar was a year younger than my baby. He would have turned 20 on January 22, 2005. I read about Gunnar, and the circumstances leading to his death and I have thought about his Mother everyday since. I can’t say it any better than the links his Mom sent to me do, so I’ll let his friends and family speak to their love for him and what a tragic loss they feel.

You can read about the circumstances surrounding his death, and the court martial that came of it here, and read all about Gunnar and his friends and family here. Thank you Debey, for sharing your son’s story with me. My thoughts and prayers are with you….today and always.

R.I.P. US Private 1st Class Gunnar D. Becker