We heard the news this morning. This is the first death in action for some time in the NZ Army: but in a country of 4 million, people will know his family

Lieutenant Tim O’Donnell, from Feilding, was the first Kiwi combat soldier to be killed in a decade when his patrol was ambushed in Bamiyan Province overnight.

Two of his fellow soldiers and a local interpreter with the patrol were also injured in the attack.

Choking back tears as he spoke at a press conference at Linton Army base near Palmerston North this afternoon, his father Mark said: “This day is a very sad day for two families – the O’Donnells and the army.

“Ever since he was a boy being held by his grandmother at aged four he wanted to be in the army.

“He was very proud of the work that he and the soldiers did there.

“He absolutely loved being a soldier. He loved working with other soldiers.

via ‘He absolutely loved being a soldier’ – father – National – NZ Herald News.

My condolences to his family. In the rising of the sun, we will remember them.