Specialist Dustin Kendall will be remembered by those who knew him as a charming and charismatic young man, who was beloved by his friends and family and had a special gift for bringing smiles to the faces of everyone he met.   Growing up with a brother and four sisters, Spc. Kendall spent his childhood as many children do: playing sports, causing mischief, and enjoying the company of his family and friends. As the son of missionaries, he spent his childhood in a variety of places and wherever he ended up, his outgoing and friendly nature was sure to follow. These qualities allowed him to make friends quickly and adapt to new surroundings, and that was certainly the case when his family moved to Bryant, an Arkansas town just south of Little Rock, in 2002. In Bryant, Spc. Kendall worked at a local restaurant, where he became a favorite of the regular customers, while he finished his schooling. Later, when his parents moved to Europe to continue their missionary work, he stayed in Arkansas to continue classes at the University of Central Arkansas in nearby Conway. At UCA, he studied business but was considering following one of his passions and pursuing a career in golf, possibly in golf-course design. As a student, Spc. Kendall joined the United States Army Reserve for primarily financial reasons but, over time, came to enjoy his military life and was ultimately considering a career in the Army. Upon signing up for active duty last summer, he was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, before being deployed with his unit to Iraq in November of 2005. In Iraq, Spc. Kendall served with the 68th Armor Regiment of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, where he served with distinction, most recently as a bodyguard for an Army colonel. Tragically, he was killed on January 15 in Baqouba, Iraq, when his military humvee was accidentally struck by an American Abrams tank. He was 21-years-old. A memorial service was held for Spc. Kendall on January 21, in Summerville, South Carolina. Many of his friends and his family gathered to remember the charming young man with the infectious smile and to honor the brave soldier who had given his life in the fight for freedom. Although words cannot convey the sorrow felt by his loved ones, I hope they may find some solace remembering the way he lived his life and knowing that he touched the lives of so many others. My thoughts and prayers go out to his parents, Brandi Lee and Penelope Jean, his brother and his sisters, and to all those who knew and loved him. His time with us was far too short but his spirit will live on is us forever.