It's our duty to remember...

The Fayette community has lost another hero. 1st. Lt. Robert Collins, 24, of Tyrone died last month in Iraq after his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device.

Known for his sense of humor and high character, Collins graduated from Sandy Creek High School in 2004 and that summer was sworn in as a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.
He selflessly joined "The Long Gray Line" at a time when a commission in the U.S. Army almost certainly meant risking one's life in Iraq, Afghanistan or both.

To learn more about Lt. Collins' life and the local community's efforts to honor him and his family, see Martha Barksdale's story at www.fayette-news.com

I had the privilege of meeting Robert through our mutual friend 1st. Lt. Andrew Collins (no relation), another Coweta/Fayette native who went on to gradutate from West Point.
Robert, you will be missed.

Here's the roll call of our friends and neighbors who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Marine Lance Cpl. Jeffery Blanton, 23, Fayetteville. Killed Dec. 12, 2004 by enemy action in Iraq's Anbar Province.

Army National Guard Spec. Michael Stokely, 23, Sharpsburg. Killed Aug. 16, 2005 by a makeshift bomb blast while on foot patrol in Baghdad.

Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Robert Hollar Jr., 35, Griffin. Killed Sept. 1, 2005 when a makeshift bomb detonated near his Humvee in Baghdad.

Marine Lance Cpl. James Chamroeun, 20, Union City. Killed Sep. 28, 2006 while battling enemy forces in Iraq's Anbar Province.

Army Spec. Justin R. Jarrett, 21, Jonesboro. Killed Oct. 2, 2006 when a makeshift bomb exploded near his vehicle in Taji, Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Blake M. Harris, 27, Hampton. Killed March 15, 2007 when a makeshift bomb exploded near his unit during combat operations in Baghdad.

Army Master Sgt. Mitchell Young, 39, Jonesboro. Killed July, 13, 2008 when his vehicle struck a makeshift bomb in Kajaki Sofia, Afghanistan.

Army Pvt. Colman J. Meadows III, 19, Senoia. Died Dec. 16, 2008 from injuries sustained during a non-combat incident at Forward Operating Base Ramrod in Afghanistan.

Army National Guard Staff Sgt. John Beale, 39, Riverdale. Killed June 4, 2009 when his squadron was attacked by a makeshift bomb and small arms fire in Kapisa, Afghanistan.

Army Spec. Anthony Lightfoot, 20, Riverdale. Killed July 20, 2009 when a makeshift bomb exploded near his vehicle, followed by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades in Wardak Province, Afghanistan.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Shawn McCloskey, 33, Peachtree City. Killed Sep. 16, 2009 when his vehicle was attacked by a makeshift bomb in Afghanistan's Helmund Province.

Army 1st. Lt. Robert Collins, 24, Tyrone. Killed April 7, 2010 when his vehicle was attacked by a makeshift bomb in Mosul, Iraq.

These men and their families have suffered for our sake. All we're asked to do in return is remember.