He was 21

Calgary bid farewell to the latest local soldier to be killed in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan yesterday.

This one hit closer to home for me.

He was young, falling between my two younger brothers. And he attended the same high school that they did, in our neighborhood. I don't know if they knew him, or knew of him. It doesn't really matter all that much to me.

He was just a year older than my baby brother.

But what really catches my attention is the tattoo emblazoned across his back. The one of which countless pictures have appeared in the local media this last week. "For Those I Love I Will Sacrifice."

A life statement of sorts. A powerful one. One that challenges me. And one that becomes that much more poignant given that this young man gave his life serving his country.