I don't know who Private First Class Ryan Grady was except he was another Irish American hero who died serving this country this Independence Day.

Ryan Grady's body was brought back from Afghanistan on July 4th where he had served with the Vermont National Guard.

On the day he died the 25-year-old ate breakfast with his brother Kevin, another National Guard member. Hours later an improved explosive device killed him. Four others in his vehicle were seriously injured.

Grady lived in West Burke, Vermont. .

He was one of three brothers enlisted in the military,.

James Grady, Ryan's brother, described their father's grief to the Tulsa World newspaper in Oklahoma where the family was originally from . "My dad is not doing very well," James Grady said. "It's the first time I've ever heard him cry."

Grady was an veteran and had already received a purple heart for bravery and he leaves behind a wife and six-year-old daughter.


He was a hero like so many Irish Americans before him, and indeed any American who dons his country's uniform.

May he rest in peace