Please take a moment to say goodbye to Robert Zangas.

[VolcanoJen]

He was killed in Iraq on March 9, 2004, but his death was only confirmed yesterday. After having served as a Marine reservist, he remained in Iraq, choosing to work as a civilian, teaching Iraqis how to be journalists as a DoD employee.

Here is his blog; I know there are many DUers who read it and referenced it in the past several months:

Bob Zangas' Journey in Iraq

Here's a thread concerning the death of Bob Zangas on The Daily Kos; you may need to scroll down a bit to get to it:

This one hurts

Here is a link to the news of Bob's death:

Civilians Added to U.S. Iraq Casualties

Please do not forget Robert Zangas, and all of the lives this immoral, unethical war has claimed.

Bob's motto was "Hang on to your Dreams!" May his memory live eternal.

[saigon68]

1. Sad very Sad

This person had a lot to live for and to give in the future.

History will judge whether his death was in vain, I'm afraid.

I knew a lot of people like him with hopes and dreams cut short. To me, the memories of them are still alive, even though I am still angry about the circumstances and reasons for their deaths.

R.I.P.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Thanks for this post, VJ -- this is terrible news...

of yet another tragedy among so many.

[VolcanoJen]

3. Kos wrote "We have become desensitized...

...to the latest casualty reports out of Iraq. Mere numbers on a paper of computer screen.

That's why this one hurts so much."

I am certain that Fern Holland, who was a DoD civilian killed the same day, and possibly alongside, Bob Zangas, was a beautiful, kind-hearted, righteous soul as well. I am angry with myself for not knowing more about her short life.

To read Bob's blog in retrospect is heartbreaking. Putting a human face on the faceless numbers is tantamount to forcing Americans into the understanding of what has been foresaken.

[Manix]

4. RIP

[Columbia]

5. I served with Col. Zangas in Iraq

He was a good man and truly believed in the cause. His life and good works will not be forgotten.

Semper Fi, Col Zangas.

Rest in peace.

[punpirate]

6. Thanks for the update...

... I missed this. Condolences to his family.

[Columbia]

7. A recent article

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0403190185mar19,1,6639787.story?coll=chi-news-hed (free subscription required)

Compelled to help, idealists pressed on despite danger

Before they were slain in an ambush, 2 Americans and an Iraqi translator hoped to create a better life for women

HILLAH, Iraq -- Fern Holland, Salwa Ourmaishi and Robert Zangas came from different walks of life, but they all were unabashed idealists drawn to Iraq by a heartfelt belief that they could make a difference in the lives of the people.

Their dreams died outside this city when they were run off the road and shot to death on March 9, hours after Holland, a lawyer from Oklahoma, and Ourmaishi, her Iraqi translator, had arranged to help a poor woman evict a squatter from her land as part of their work for the Coalition Provisional Authority. Holland and Zangas were the coalition's first American civilian employees to be killed in Iraq.

All three embodied the conflicting dreams of Iraqi society. Zangas, 44, was trying to instill the concept of a free press in a nation that had been censored by the Saddam Hussein regime. Holland, 33, and Ourmaishi, 35, were working to bring women's rights to a country that traditionally relegated women to lower status.

<more>

[VolcanoJen]

8. Thank you for that article, Columbia

You served with Bob Zangas? I did not know he was a Colonel, from reading his blog. He just didn't put off the air, you know? What a compassionate soul he was...

Apparently their translator, Salwa Ourmaishi, died alongside them. Again, I am saddened that I did not know more about these lives.

:-( :-( :-(

[Columbia]

9. You're welcome

Actually, he was a Lieutenant Colonel, but as a sign of respect, we usually just use Colonel.

Yes, I served with Col. Zangas last year during OIF. He was a great officer, an outstanding Marine, and most of all, a top rate human being. You could always count on him being positive and treating you with respect, regardless of your rank. He will be sorely missed. His death is a loss to America and Iraq both. A true hero, fallen, but not forgotten.

[Veggie Meathead]

10. Lt.Col.Robert Zangas,R.I.P.

This is my very first post and a sad one it has` turned out to be. Reading about Col.Zangas'life and death,though sad, has oddly given me hope that if we can produce compassionate people like him all is not lost for our country despite the events of the past three years.
I want to say how sorry I am to his family but Robert Zangas will live in our memories forever.

[VolcanoJen]

12. Welcome to DU!!

A sad occasion for your first post... :-(

Welcome to our little silly family here at DU. :-)

[newyawker99]

13. Hi Veggie Meathead!!

Welcome to DU!!

[bemildred]

11. Peace be upon you and yours, Col. Zangas.

Better luck next time around.