Illinois Soldier Who Survived 3 Iraq Tours Dies From Cancer

[Barrett808]

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) -- A Bloomington soldier who survived three tours in Iraq only to return home and find out he had just months to live has died.

U.S. Army Colonel Dirk Spanton died Friday of cancer of the liver bile ducts.

The illness was diagnosed shortly after the 51-year-old soldier returned home on Memorial Day after another tour of Iraq with the Special Forces.

Spanton's wife says her husband never understood why people kept calling him a hero as news of his illness spread. When he said he was only doing his job, Julie Spanton said she told him he was doing a hero's job.

The father of five had said he felt lucky despite the disease. He said he could have died in Iraq, but instead got a chance to say goodbye to his wife and five children.

A military funeral with full honors will be Tuesday in Bloomington.

http://ksdk.com/news/state/illinois/illinois_article.aspx?storyid=105506

[Hav]

1. .

Wow, what a sad and tragic story.
Rest in Peace.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. What caused the cancer?

[Moderator]

3. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2564248