"There is a war against terrorism — vicious, murderous, disastrous terrorism — being fought on the other side of the world.

One of our own has come home to remind us about it.

Today, we give a final salute to U.S. Army Spc. Troy Orion Tom of Beclabito, a 2006 Aztec High School graduate who was killed last week while serving our nation in Afghanistan.

Tom will be remembered at a 10 a.m. service in the Farmington Civic Center and then with full military honors with interment at Greenlawn Cemetery.

It is critically important that we as a community and we as a nation remember not just Tom for his bravery, dedication and sacrifice, but also for his mission: defeating terrorism and protecting American freedom.

Too many forget too easily that we are at war with evil forces determined to destroy the United States or seriously harm our interests.

Thousands of brave men and women serve in harm's way while fighting that war in Iraq, Afghanistan and many other hot spots worldwide."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Spc. Troy Orion Tom reminds us of the cost (The Farmington Daily Times 8/26)

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