Joshua John Kirk, 30
It is with deep sorrow that I formally announce the death of my son, Joshua John kirk, 30, who was killed in action on Oct., 3, 2009, while on active duty in Duristan province, Afghanistan.
Joshua was born at home to John and Bernadette Kirk on July 19, 1979, in Thomaston, Maine. Joshua and his family moved to Idaho in 1983, where he spent the majority of his growing up years.
Joshua was schooled at home. He was an avid reader with a particular interest in military history. Joshua studied Tae Kwan Do under Greg Mead for a good number of years, rising to the rank of first-degree black belt and evenutaly achieving third-degree black belt under David Kuhns.
At age 19, Joshua re-enforced his love of rock climbing by attending an intense 30-day mountaineering course in the Colorado Rockies sponsored by the outdoor adventure organization Outward Bound.
Joshua learned the building trade from his father. While in his early 20s he honed his finish carpentry skills under the tutelage of Bryant Construction in Rockland, Maine.
In 2004 he attended Southern Maine Technical School where he majored in architectural engineering, graduating with an associate degree in 2005. It was during this time that he met his wife, Megan.
It was while attending school that he decided to join the military and entered basic training in the spring of 2005. He successfully completed basic, graduating with recognition for his leadership skills and went on to train as an army scout.
Upon completion of his training he was assigned to Schweinfurt, Germany, where he served as-head of the armory until his first deployment to Afghanistan in April 2007. During his first 18-month tour he received two medals of valor for courage under fire.
In November 2008, after completion of his first tour in Afghanistan, he decided to make the military a career. Joshua re-enlisted in the army in December 2008 before returning to the states with his wife and daughter. He and his family were stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado at the time of his death.
Joshua was part of Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. He was a highly decorated soldier.
During his four years in the military, he received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, two NATO medals and a Combat Action Badge.
Joshua was promoted to the rank of sargeant shortly before his re-deployment to Afghanistan in May 2009. He celebrated his 30th birthday on July 19.
Joshua was preceeded in death by his father on Dec 25, 2007, and his paternal grandfather, Richard Kirk.
Joshua leaves behind his wife, Megan; daughter, Kensington; brother, Josiah Kirk; sisters, Johnna Sohnner, Jessica Tingley, Jennifer Solt, and Liz Fulton; step-siblings Christopher and Crystal Bonner; mother, Bernadette Kirk-Bonner; stepfather, Michael D. Bonner; maternal grandparents, Seward and Gertrude Dinsmore; paternal grandmother, Frances Kirk Drinkwater; and numerous aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces.
Joshua was buried with full military honors on Oct. 13th in Exeter, N.H., the hometown of his wife.
A memorial service with full military honors will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in Becker Auditorium at Bonners Ferry High School.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the local American Legion for the COP Keating Relief Fund to assist Joshua’s comrades who survived the attack and were subsequently airlifted out with, quite literally, only the shirts on their backs.