The attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City a decade ago forever changed air travel, generated the office of homeland security and spurred the U.S. military into action that continues to this day as they uphold Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Ross Chapman, 31, was the first U.S. Servicemember killed in the War on Terror on Friday, January 4, 2002 in Afghanistan. Despite being mortally wounded, the local hero continued to return enemy fire and is credited with saving the lives of many fellow Soldiers.

Sgt. 1st Class Chapman, who left behind his wife Renae and two young children, lived in Puyallup with his family and spent most of his Army career stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (then Ft Lewis). When the war began and certain MOS's were needed to deploy, SFC Chapman volunteered to join up with the 5th Special Forces Group out of Fort Campbell, KY., as 1st Special Forces Group here was not assigned to the Middle East, and head downrange.

"This was what he wanted to do, he wanted to serve his country and fight for it," said his father Will Chapman. "Unfortunately it cost him his life."

Though Will served in the Air Force for 21 years, he said that his son never seemed fixated on joining himself until he was a senior in high school, at which point he declared his plans to serve. However, despite his father's guidance, he chose to join the Army upon his graduation in 1988 rather than the Air Force, a choice that Will now describes as a good one.

"He thought he could help the most in the Army and I think he did just that," he said.

In addition to his name being listed on the 1st Special Forces Group's memorial on JBLM Main, the younger Chapman was also memorialized in Georgetown, Texas, where his parents live. A bronze statue in SFC Chapman's likeness stands outside of the Williamson County Justice Center to honor him and plaques from other fallen Soldiers from central Texas line the walls behind the statue.

"When people approach me to say thank you for what my son did, I tell them I appreciate it, but I did not do anything," he said. "Instead they should thank an active duty Servicemember. They are all out there still doing something. In fact, I want to take this opportunity to thank the Soldiers and Airmen at JBLM that might read this. Thank you for continuing to serve."