SOMETIMES LIFE ISN'T FAIR

They say things happen for a reason. But try explaining that to a little boy who has been through a lot in the last few months.

Dominic is 8 years old. Do you remember what it's like to be 8? He should be worrying about being the quarterback of his all-star football team, or how he's going to remember what 8x7 is.

But for the second time this year, he's been touched by the war in Iraq.

If you're a loyal reader of my blog, you may remember Dominic is the little boy who I wrote a note to when his dad, Jack, decided to go back to the military after Sept. 11. That's tough on a kid, who worships his dad. It's even tougher when his father is wounded and loses his foot because of infection.

But Jack is strong. He's gotten through the pain of losing his foot and he's back home with his son. But that's not where our story ends. Jack's younger brother Damon joined the Marines this summer.

He survived Parris Island and three weeks ago he was sent to Iraq. Damon said he knew why he was there and believed in being there. He truly loved being a soldier and was "cool" with whatever happened to him. His family hoped that included coming home.

But it won't

Ten days ago, Damon was killed in action in Iraq. His family lost a beloved son and brother and Dominic lost his favorite uncle -- the guy who played with him when his father was away.

Domimic will eventually learn what all this will help him do in the future. But I'm sure Damon was happy when he saw his nephew lead his football team to a win and get a game ball. And I'm sure he was happy when Dominic dedicated the game ball to him.

ESPN ran a clip on Saturday of a football player comparing his game to a war. The player said he was a soldier and he had to kill before he was killed.

That football player isn't half the man Dominic already is.