Virginia Soldier Makes Ultimate Sacrifice

I made one of those phone calls today that most journalists dread. Word had come through a 9NEWS NOW co-worker that another local soldier had died in Iraq.

The mother of Pfc. David Sharrett II answered the phone in Oakton, Va. I suddenly felt myself at a loss for words. Knowing that the official Department of Defense press release had not yet come out, I was reluctant to ask about her son.

I told Vicki Sharrett that we were contacting military families and she said, "We just lost our son." I knew then I could go on with our request for more information about the soldier. She called her husband, David, to the phone and after a short conversation, he agreed to call me back.

People often wonder why reporters call families when they know they are grieving. It is not an easy task, but I believe it is the right thing to do for those who have given their lives for our country. Pfc. Sharrett should be more than a name and a number to our local viewers. He deserves more than a couple of lines mentioning another local soldier has died.

When Sharrett's father graciously returned my call, I found out David joined the Army in 2006 because he felt the need to serve. I learned that he was a 1999 graduate of Oakton High School.
He left behind a wife, Heather, in Fort Campbell Kentucky. He has two younger brothers at home, 18-year-old Chris and 12-year-old Brooks.

I heard the pride in his father's voice when he said, "He was the toughest guy I knew."

If you have thoughts or memories about Pfc. Sharrett that you would like to share , please post your comments. You can read more about other warriors who have made the ultimate sacrafice this month at Military City .