Lance Corporal Phillip George, 22, left, was killed while defending the Pakistani border near Asadabad from Taliban supporters and al Qaeda soldiers who wanted to interfere with the impending election in Afghanistan on August 18, 2005. 

Because his father, Carson George, a Vietnam veteran, was working in Iraq in a contract capacity, his wife, Penny had to tell him of Phillip’s death over the phone.  He was, however, able to escort Phillip’s body from Germany back to Pasadena.  A soldier who “was following his heart” by serving his country, “he died proudly.”  Lance Corporal George was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.