Nebraska State Paper -- There are a lot of pictures on the blog that was maintained by Army 1st Lieutenant Jacob Fritz.

A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Fritz made it clear that he loved his family, his friends, his country and his job.

Fritz, 25, was killed Saturday in an ambush by Iraqi insurgentsnear Karbala.

He often described himself as a farm boy from the village of Verdon – population, about 200. To those who knew him, from Verdon to Falls City and the surrounding area in Richardson County, Fritz was a hero and lots of other things.

Captain of sports teams at Dawson-Verdon High School, president of the Honor Society, exceptional student, community activist. It was no surprise when he graduated West Point in 2005.

Services were pending.

In one of his blog entries, Fritz wrote:

“I know that I've got a lot of support from many friends and family back home in NE, and from all across the country. I never knew how important they're support would mean until I spent my first Thanksgiving and Christmas away from the family. It was hard, but all the pictures, letters, and packages from those that sent them meant so much more to me than words can ever hope to describe.

“It's been more complicated to find a time to call home than I expected, but who knows when you're in a foreign country and 9 hrs ahead of "home". It has been fun a couple of times calling dad in the middle of the night and telling him that he has cows out on the highway! Okay, enough rambling for now ….

“…. I miss home, my family, and my friends very much, and think of you all as often as I get a free moment.”

Fritz was very, very grateful for the support he alluded to, and he made a point of thanking those who provided it.

In a final e-mail, Fritz wrote of his appreciation. The missive went to the family and friends, and to the Falls City Journal.

Here is what it said:

To Friends and Family –

I deployed to Iraq back in October of 2006. I made the trip from Alaska to Kuwait where I waited and trained in 110-degree weather for two weeks before finally flying into Baghdad International Airport. It has been quite the experience so far, as I'm definitely not doing the job that I thought I would be doing. 

I was trained to be a Field Artillery officer, but I have found myself acting as a liaison officer between the Iraqi Police in Karbala to the US Forces on my Forward Operating Base. It has been quite the rewarding experience so far, as I am getting to experience first hand the inner workings of the Iraqi Security Forces.

I am in charge of 38 soldiers over here, and I must say that we have become quite the close-knit group over here thus far. Not all of us get to do the same missions together, but there is a corps that I get to work with fairly often. Of that group, I have my Gunnery Sergeant (Gunny), approximately 15 soldiers that vary each trip, and myself each time out on a mission. We have gotten to know a lot more about each other than I think that we ever would have hoped to learn or ever thought that we would learn. Everyone wants to say that they have the best group of soldiers or work with the best, so I guess that I'll follow the pack and say the same thing. I just want to put a little more emphasis on mine though! 

My guys have gotten to know a lot of the Iraqi Police that we work side-by-side with here in Karbala. We have made some really good friends, and are getting to know more and more about each other everyday. Even though we can't speak Arabic, and they can't speak English, we can sure communicate through body language, hand and arm signals, as well as facial expressions. Even if you don't know what they're saying, you can figure it out by how they're saying it. Then you start to pick-up on words or phrases. Then you're able to start having conversations. It's just amazing how much we've been able to accomplish in the past months. 

As for the weather, you wouldn't believe how cold it gets over here. It is starting to warm up a little bit now, but back in mid-December it was getting down right cold over here. We would get a high temperature of maybe 45 and then a low of 27 some nights.

That's right, freezing temperatures in Iraq. Almost made me wish I was back home a few times after calling and finding out that Nebraska was having some nonstandard Nebraska weather back in Falls City. But, give it a couple months, and I'll be wishing that I was as cold as I was in December. 

Speaking of December, one always thinks of Christmas. I know that this was my first one away from home, as it also was for most of my guys. A few of us were even "lucky" enough to be able to spend it away from our FOB, and got to spend Christmas together in Karbala. We had a great Christmas MRE and just had a great time spending it together as best we could. It was an experience that we won't soon forget.

What I meant to write in this letter was a thank you. I know that my address was published in the FC Journal in one of the issues. I have received so many packages and letters of support that I can't possibly find the time to thank each and every one of you that have sent me something.

I asked my mom how to best do this, and she was the one that suggested writing to the Journal and asking them to publish this letter. Words just can't begin to describe how much the letters and packages mean to me. I spend anywhere from five to nine days at a time out on a mission, and don't receive any mail. When I return, I get all my mail at once, and it just does so much to raise my spirits when I finally find time to sit down and open them all. What was really touching were the Christmas letters that people would normally send out to their families. I felt very special and in a small way a part of their family at least for that Christmas. I just don't know what else to say, other than I can't begin to write how much your words of support mean for me. I also share them with my soldiers, and you can take comfort in knowing that they also appreciate the support. Regardless of when we come home, my soldiers and I want you all to know that we couldn't have made it this far through the deployment without your support from back home.

We all thank you very much, and wish that you all have a safe rest of the year.

 Very Respectfully,

 1LT Jacob Fritz

 2/A/2-377th PFAR

Platoon Leader, FA