So sad to hear that a Spokane soldier has died in Iraq. Cpl. Kelly Grothe, 21, was killed by an improvised exploding device. Three years ago he was getting ready to graduate from Central Valley High School.

Grothe's job -- and that of his unit -- was to clear roadside bombs and protect convoys. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more dangerous job over there. He is the 10th military victim of IEDs this month, according to this unofficial count.

When I was 21, I had such a benign job. I worked at a cousin's trailer park/campground, cleaning bathrooms, collecting rent, guiding people to their camp sites. And that was just a summertime gig to help pay for college. Can't imagine having such a perilous job like Grothe's at such a young age.

Related: War takes heavy toll on region: 8 killed; Sandpoint soldier loses legs/Jim Camden, Spokesman-Review

(Photo from his MySpace site)

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