Yesterday afternoon, an instant message brought me news of a fallen soldier, a true hero who met an unfortunate end. According to the Boston Globe, Joan Duran of Boston was killed by a bomb during his second stint in Iraq. Joan is the first person I’ve known to have been killed in either the Iraq or Afghanistan wars, and unfortunately it couldn’t have taken a nicer person than Joan. I met Joan Duran at the Boston Latin School, and was immediately impressed by his humor and genuine kindness. Though I wasn’t the closest of friends with Joan, he certainly left a positive impact on me and knowing some of his closest friends, he left the same impact on them and nearly anyone he met. Joan’s passion for helping people showed in his quick rise to a Sergeant rank, and his fellow soldiers trust in him.
Back in the Fall of 2002, I remember debating with my freshman roommate, a member of the Navy ROTC, about the merits of an invasion into Iraq. He was in favor of it, while I was opposed to it. Now that this war has hit home with a personal loss, my feelings have only strengthened in opposition to putting our troops at risk. To Joan, his family, his fiancee, and all American soldiers and their families, I immensely respect and appreciate all the sacrifices you make and hope as many of you are home safe as soon as possible.
Joan, I’ll always remember your goofy sense of humor and your kind attitude to everyone around you. You long ago earned the right to be called superman, and nothing can weaken your heroism. Rest in peace, brother.
Thank you for writing up this piece for Joan. I truly appreciate it. Joan is THE KINDEST, MOST GENUINE I know. I am proud to call him my best friend. No war is worth all the precious lives that have been lost.
No problem Natalia. Though I wasn’t as close with him as you were, I’ll still miss the kid, I remember whenever I saw him he was almost always smiling. People like that come around rarely.
Thank you for writing this, its beautiful. Im feel so priveledged to be the one to have loved him and spent the rest of his life with him. He was an amazing guy and boyfriend, and ill love him forever!
thanks again
Thanks for the nice comment Andrea. He was a great guy and I’m positive he had a great impact on lots of people! I hope you are doing well.
My Best Friend ..Since i remmber back in 1989. One of a Kind..Superman Forever….As my days go bye i know Natalia & Me Cry when songs are play ether on the radio or on the Tv.. Man ..Your my Hero alway!!!!
Piece OUTSIDE like you always Said.. MY Ninja.
Having gone through similar events in my past, the pain won’t ever go away Remy, but it does ease its grip as time goes on. As long as his impact is still felt through his friends and family then he’s not really gone.
Hi,
I’m a senior at BLS and I’m writing an article in the Argo about Joan. I googled his name to find pictures of him and came across your blog, and I was wondering if I could use some of your pictures for the article. I found through researching about him that he really was an amazing guy, and I’m really sorry to everyone for your loss.
Maria,
It’s great that you’re writing an article about Joan; your research is spot on, he was a great person and it should make for a very good article. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Since I got these pictures from Joan’s public myspace profile (which has since been deleted by myspace) I don’t see any issues with using them in the article. I’ll email you the full resolution versions when I get home.
i miss &nd LOVE YOU BiG BRO !
one year &nd 2mOnths w. OUT YOU !
i wish yu can bee hear TO help me w.
my MATH like you did back in the day
i LOVE YOU an MiSS YOU BRO !
Rest in Peace “/
[…] and family, have a BBQ, and enjoy an off-day from work. To other’s it’s a time to remember the people we’ve lost fighting for this country. The 42nd Estate might not be a person, but as a group we do have a a […]