My respects to these people and condolences to the families left behind

Every once in a while I get this note in my email.

It reminds me of the courage and passion that so many journalists have and carry with them on assignments and it immediately re-kindles this admiration and respect i have for them.

may the Lord encourage the hearts of these families left behind.

Friday, January 5, 2007 AP staff: I am so sorry to report that another member of our AP staff in Iraq has been killed. Ahmed Hadi Naji, a cameraman and messenger for APTN, was found dead today in a Baghdad morgue, a week after he had gone missing. He had been shot. Ahmed, 28, leaves behind his wife, Sahbaa Mudhar Khalil, 26, and four-month-old twins, a son, Zaid, and a daughter, Rand. Ahmed was on his way to work at the AP bureau on December 30 on his red motorbike when he disappeared. AP and his family both immediately began a search. The details surrounding his death may never be known. The AP story on Ahmed will soon be posted on our Web site. The situation for our journalists in Iraq is unprecedented in AP's 161-year history of covering wars and conflicts. The courage of our Iraqi colleagues and their dedication to the story stand as an example to the world of journalism's enduring value. We continually assess the safety of our staff in Iraq, and their families, and do everything we can to protect and support those who embrace this mission. All of us at AP share the pain and grief being felt by Ahmed's family and friends.

Read about it here