Where is the Humanity?

Iowa City's Patty and Maliphone Sourivong lost their son, Kampha, last year when the 20 year-old 1st batallion, 133rd Infantry Iowa National Guard soldier was died Sept. 30 of injuries sustained when his vehicle received small arms fire during security operations in Al Asad, Iraq. The Sourivong's have a trailer parked in front of their home in memory of their son.

According to the Press-Citizen, "The neighbors, however, say the trailer violates city ordinance because it is too big to be parked in front of a residence and have created a petition to force the Sourivongs to remove the trailer. In their petition to the city, neighbors said the camper is an "eyesore" and "adversely affects" property values."

According to The Red Bull Web publication:

"[Kampha] Sourivong, who joined the unit when it first mobilized in October 2005, was also known for his easygoing attitude. The 20-year-old from Iowa City, Iowa, had just joined the National Guard the year before, partly out of a desire to earn money for college, his fellow Soldiers said.

Sourivong came across as nervous and shy at first, yet he began to come out of his shell as the deployment wore on, his team leader, Sgt. Ryan E. Shaw of Norwalk, Iowa, said.

"He was the type of guy to give someone his last dollar just so they could get a soda," Shaw said.

Shaw said Sourivong was a good Soldier, who, if he ever had a question about a task, it was never why he needed to do it, but was how he could do it right. Cain said he always tried his hardest and still carried himself with a quiet grace.
"He did everything with a smile on his face," Cain said. "He always put 100 percent into everything he did.""

As much as I am against this war, I know the way we treat each other is the basis of all war. This example of inhumanity deeply saddens me. I wonder if these concerned neighbors had taken the time to talk to the Sourivong family if they would feel the action was needed?