Sgt. Russell L. Collier was born in Crossett and as a member of a military family, spent his entire childhood on and around army bases. Through this experience, he was able to learn from an early age about the importance of military service as well as the sacrifice that men and women in uniform make on behalf of our freedom. These lessons led to his decision to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1975. He later transferred to the U.S. Navy and in 1999, volunteered for service in the Arkansas National Guard. Sgt. Collier was described by those who knew him as a fun-loving man who loved to cook and read and had a passion for the Arkansas Razorbacks and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

More importantly, he is remembered as a caring son, brother, husband and father who loved his family and was always very protective of them. Sgt. Collier worked the full-time night-shift at the Tyson Foods plant in Green Forest before earning his emergency medical technician license. With this license, he became the unit medic for his 206th Alpha Battery when they were deployed to Iraq last spring. Although his family was anxious for his return home in March, they understood that he was doing what he loved; serving his country and helping people.

On October 3^rd, Sgt. Collier's unit was conducting traffic control operations when they came under attack from insurgent forces. After one of his fellow soldiers was struck by small arms fire, Sgt. Collier left behind his rifle to rush to the aid of the wounded soldier. Tragically, he was killed in the process. Russell Collier's willingness to place himself in harm's way to help others is a testament to the kind of man he was. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Rocky; his three children; his sister, Carolyn Pfaus; and to all those who knew and loved him.