Farewell Josh

Joshua Robert Hanson 1979-2006

Finally, the photo your Mom and Dad were waiting for Josh, you, in Iraq, smiling.

United States Defense Department News release on the death of Sgt. Josh Hanson

Minnesota National Guard information

Dent residents mourn slain National Guard soldier

Optimist, Protector killed in Iraq
"Josh was a wonderful and loving son and a great friend," said Lt. Col. Kevin Gutknecht, reading from a family statement at the news conference. "He was proud to serve his country as duty called. We can't express enough how proud we are that he was willing to lay down his life for all of us. He and his comrades are real heroes."

Guardsman remembered as a "rock."
“He would hate that we’re crying,” said Jessica Fahje, who grew up with Hanson and communicated with him through e-mails during his stay in Iraq. “The world will not be the same without him. He was a rock when everyone else was worried for him.”