Private 1st Class Landon S. Giles was a passionate and free-spirited young man who lived his life with an admirable sense of adventure and courage. He was also a brave soldier who proudly and honorably served his nation in uniform. In doing so, he gave his life while improving the lives of those he saw as less fortunate while helping to bring freedom and hope to a land that has known only oppression and fear. The way he lived his life is a testament to the kind of person he was.

The State of Arkansas and our nation will mourn his loss but will remain forever grateful of the service he rendered on behalf of us all. Pvc. Giles was born and raised in the southwestern Arkansas town of Arkadelphia. From an early age, his sense of adventure and his athleticism would contribute to the way he spent his childhood. If he wasn’t playing golf, football or baseball, he was most likely hiking or on a hunting trip with friends and family. Above all, Pvc. Giles loved to travel, where he could experience foreign cultures, see new places and meet new people. His father’s job required an extensive amount of travel overseas and it allowed him the opportunity to do just that. Through travels with his father, Pvc. Giles had the opportunity to see much of the world. When he was just 12, he became a certified scuba diver while diving at Sipadan, an island off the coast of Malaysia.

Additionally, he would go on to experience memorable journeys such as climbing volcanoes in the South Pacific, deep-sea fishing off the coast of Australia, surfing in Hawaii, and riding an elephant through parts of Thailand. It was a rare privilege of which he took full advantage. It was an adventure that required courage and imagination and he loved every minute of it. Such was his life. Wherever that life took him, his friendly personality and outgoing nature provided him with a natural gift for making friends quickly and easily. At the same time, his work ethic, dedication, and discipline earned him the respect of his teachers and coaches. Throughout his time at Arkadelphia High School, Pvc. Giles would call upon these traits when he spoke of entering the military. Shortly before his graduation, he joined the United States Army through their delayed-entry program. Since he had not yet reached the age of 18, he asked his mother, Kim, to fill out the necessary paperwork. Although she disapproved of his decision, she also saw how determined and passionate he felt about it and ultimately complied. A month after his graduation last May, Pvc. Giles entered the Army as an indirect fire infantryman, assigned to the Army’s 3rd Infantry based in Fort Stewart, Georgia.

The day he was deployed to the Middle East for Operation Iraqi Freedom, his sister, Jennifer, told him she didn’t want him to go to war. In a gesture befitting of who he was, he replied simply "it’s better I go and not come home than someone with a wife and children." In Iraq, his courage was surpassed only by his selflessness. He often spoke of his heart-felt belief that the Iraqis were being treated unjustly and had no one to fight for their rights. He became a champion of this cause and while proudly serving his country, was also proud to help the people of Iraq in their fight for freedom. Tragically, after serving in Iraq for only a few weeks, he was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol on February 26. Back in the community he called home, countless friends and neighbors, as well as strangers who simply wanted to pay their respects, lined the procession to his burial service. Many held small American flags in their hands, others simply held their hands over their heart.

The community’s outpouring of grief was tempered only by its outpouring of appreciation. Their fallen hero had returned home and it was readily apparent that his sacrifice would not soon be forgotten. Landon Giles was an inspiration, not only because of the way he lived his life, but because of who he was. He was a loving son, brother, and friend, and he was also a hero. Although his time with us was way too short, his legacy will forever live on in the example he set and the many lives he touched. In the words of his mother Kim, "I want him to be remembered as a strong, brave, compassionate person who put his life on the line to defend our country and help those less fortunate than us." My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who knew and loved this special young man.