Going Beyond Ourselves - Story of SSGT Dale James Kelly Jr.

My wife and I have a little ritual most mornings. We talk about yesterday's and today's activities in an effort to coordinate and bring closure. We have some of her questionable coffee that she brews for us in the morning. We also read the paper while trying to maintain a sense of humor; especially making a distinction between the often-so-sad-it's- funny news and the funnies section of the paper.

My wife also from time to time reads the obits because there is an ever increasing number of WWII and Korean War veterans whose lives are coming to an end. She also marvels at some of the heroic women who were doing things before the era where there was much public support for these types of individual achievements.

I like when she shares about these folks because inevitably they have one common element - love of family, friends, work associates and neighbors for some kind of singular or multiple selfless acts making life better for others past their very own existence. When we get older I suspect many of us question whether we have done enough. I know I often do.

This morning in particular she was emotionally impacted by the obituary of Staff Sergeant Kelly, a graduate of Cranston High School who had just renewed his marriage vows after 25 years and soon died thereafter at the age of 48 while serving with the Mountain Infantry in Iraq leaving three children and many family members behind. He was a middle class church, environment and Boy Scout volunteer.

Considering his passing motivates me to go beyond myself not only for our troops in Iraq, but to protect and continue the middle class values reflected by SSGT Kelly's life.