Mount Airy soldier killed

Sgt. Anton Hiett of Mount Airy, a 25-year-old Army reservist who volunteered to go to Afghanistan last year because he felt as though he needed to help his country at war, was one of four soldiers killed Sunday in an explosion there.

Hiett, a medic, leaves behind a wife, Misty, and a 2-year-old daughter, Kyra.

The Army sent two men to knock on his wife's door in Mount Airy on Monday morning, and she immediately called Hiett's parents, George and Angela Hiett.

George Hiett, a Vietnam veteran, said he supported his son's decision to go to Afghanistan. The two had talked about the risks, and the younger Hiett knew that it was not going to be easy.

"You know, we live in a free country, but no one wants their child to die," said George Hiett, also of Mount Airy.

"I also know that somebody has to fight the battle, and freedom has a price."

There is no way to put a fine point on this: it just sucks.

Anton was a friend of my Son in High School. His parents were friends of ours when we were involved in Little league.

Anton would have done this for all the right reasons. He was raised in a very patriotic and religious family. He was a great kid.

God bless and God speed, Anton.