Sgt. James C. Akin, of Albuquerque, New Mexico graduated from Valley High School in 2001 and joined the Army in 2004. He had been in Iraq since last summer and was scheduled to return home on leave later this month. He was a self-professed politics and sports junkie. He worked on Victor Raigoza's campaign when he sought the Democratic nomination for then state Sen. Ramsay Gorham's seat in 2004. James had a goal and a desire to one day serve as president of the United States. He would even introduce himself and he would tell you, 'One day I'm going to be president of the United States."' He had a big personality that was hard to forget, walking into a crowded room and instantly creating an almost celebrity attraction. Akin had been a volunteer for the state Democratic Party in 2000, working at various times on the campaigns of John Kelly, Gary King, Patricia Madrid, Denish and Gov. Bill Richardson. For his service, Akin has received numerous awards, including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal. He was 23.
Army
1st Battalion
37th Field Artillery Regimen
3rd Brigade
2nd Infantry Division
(Stryker Brigade Combat Team)
Fort Lewis, Wash.
Army
1st Battalion
37th Field Artillery Regimen
3rd Brigade
2nd Infantry Division
(Stryker Brigade Combat Team)
Fort Lewis, Wash.
Sgt. James C. Akin, of Albuquerque, New Mexico graduated from Valley High School in 2001 and joined the Army in 2004. He had been in Iraq since last summer and was scheduled to return home on leave later this month. He was a self-professed politics and sports junkie. He worked on Victor Raigoza's campaign when he sought the Democratic nomination for then state Sen. Ramsay Gorham's seat in 2004. James had a goal and a desire to one day serve as president of the United States. He would even introduce himself and he would tell you, 'One day I'm going to be president of the United States."' He had a big personality that was hard to forget, walking into a crowded room and instantly creating an almost celebrity attraction. Akin had been a volunteer for the state Democratic Party in 2000, working at various times on the campaigns of John Kelly, Gary King, Patricia Madrid, Denish and Gov. Bill Richardson. For his service, Akin has received numerous awards, including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal. He was 23.
Army
1st Battalion
37th Field Artillery Regimen
3rd Brigade
2nd Infantry Division
(Stryker Brigade Combat Team)
Fort Lewis, Wash.
Army
1st Battalion
37th Field Artillery Regimen
3rd Brigade
2nd Infantry Division
(Stryker Brigade Combat Team)
Fort Lewis, Wash.
