Soldier Honored: Joshua K. Kirk

Army Sergeant Joshua J. Kirk, 30, of South Portland, Maine, was assigned to the 3^rd Squadron, 61^st Cavalry Regiment, 4^th Brigade Combat Team, 4^th Infantry Division, of Fort Carson, CO. Sergeant Kirk died, during his second deployment, on October 3^rd, 2009, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade, and indirect fires in Kamdesh, Afghanistan. Seven other soldiers were also killed in the attack. The eight soldiers had all enlisted after the September 11^th terrorist attacks.

Joshua was born in Thomaston, Maine, living in Idaho as a young child before returning to Maine again. He attended Camden Hills Regional High School and Southern Maine Community College. Sergeant Kirk was also employed as a carpenter in the construction trade. He enlisted in the Army in spring of 2005.

Sergeant Kirk was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart, among many more. He leaves behind a wife and a daughter.