PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Capt. Carla Sizer, U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Management, renders a salute to her son, Pfc. Dane Balcon, who was killed Sept. 5 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Private Balcon's casket arrived at Peterson Sept. 11. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Captain Sizer remembered her son's dedication to duty citing "his dream was to serve his country well; he was willing to die for his country." Although he was in the Army, he also held himself to Air Force core values, she added. "When he spoke to USAFA cadets, he would encourage them to step up. Even in high school, he had the highest standards and believed military standards are the foundation of what we do." (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Gilreath)