Born to be a Soldier

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Sadly, Balcon at 19 years old is now among the list of heroes who have fallen in Iraq. Killed on September 5 by a roadside bomb. The Rocky Mountain News reports that he was buried with full military honors on Friday at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

The 2006 Sand Creek High School graduate is the 60th soldier who either grew up in or lived in Colorado for some time before dying in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Balcon was just deployed to Iraq in July of this year.

While Junior ROTC members lined the steps in their military attire, his visited the Cadet Protestant Chapel at the Air Force Academy to remember her fallen son. Hundreds of others climbed those same steps Friday morning to remember Balcon as well.

Being a soldier was something that he wanted all of his life, having told his mother at the age of 3 that this was his ambition.

Stationed at Fort Hood in Texas, his original deployment was scheduled for June, but was changed to July when he was bumped from the flight by an officer of higher rank.

"He was truly frustrated," Sgt. Ben Brown, one of Balcon's high school ROTC instructors, said. "I think because he felt his mission was in jeopardy."

Balcon's friend called him Ranger Balcon, because he was 'one of the most "hooah" soldiers.' They also said he was the most kindhearted.

During the service he was promoted to a specialist and awarded a purple heart & bronze star posthumously.