Lately I've been reading many news stories that mention the military officers whose job it is to impart the news of a soldier's death to his or her families.

Today, the New York Times briefly profiles Col. David Kilbourn, the officer responsible for delivering news to such families in Connecticut.


Photo by Getty Images

Tyler Jordan, 6, and Amanda Jordan received the folded flag from the coffin of Gunnery Sgt. Phillip A. Jordan. It was presented by Lt. Col. David Kilbourn during a service April 2 at St. Patrick Cemetery in Enfield, Conn.

To have to look a 6-year-old boy in the face at his father's funeral as you hand him the flag . . . what a job.