James M. Ahearn, Major -- Rest In Peace

James M. Ahearn, 43

Army, Major
Based: Ft. Bragg, N.C.
96th Civil Affairs Battalion, 95th Civil Affairs Brigade
Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Died: July 5, 2007
Baghdad (southern part), Iraq
Married, 1 child
Gender: Male
Hometown: Concord
High School: Clayton Valley High (Concord)
Burial: Arlington National Cemetery

During Baghdad duty in 2003, Ahearn, who spoke Arabic, met and fell in love with an Iraqi woman. He brought her to the U.S. in 2005, and they married and had a baby girl.
When Lena agreed to marry him, he set out to convert to the Muslim faith so the ceremony could take place. Then he worked to bring her to the U.S.
His father, retired Phoenix-area FBI head James F. Ahearn, helped him snip through immigration red tape, eventually enlisting the assistance of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

More about Major James M. Ahearn here, here and here.