Army Specialist Dane R. Balcon was born on 27 April 1988, at Luke AFB, Arizona. Since the age of three years old, Dane always wanted to be a soldier. When he finally reached the ninth grade, he joined Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) at Warren High School, San Antonio, TX. After moving to Colorado Springs in 2004 and then later to Falcon, CO in 2005, Dane led the JROTC at both Sand Creek and Falcon High Schools as the Armed Drill Commander for two years. In 2007, he enlisted in the Army as a Fire Support Specialist following graduation from Sand Creek High School. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training with 2nd Platoon, Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery Regiment, at Fort Sill, OK. Upon graduation from AIT, SPC Balcon received his first assignment to 3rd Squadron 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in Fort Hood, TX. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Balad, Iraq on 7 July 2007 and on 5 September 2007 he completed his mission--doing what he loved--serving his country. SPC Balcon is survived by his mother Carla, her husband Larry Sizer, and his brothers, Grant and Quinn. Awards and ribbons that SPC Balcon earned while serving his country include: The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Weapons Qualification Badge and Expert w/Rifle.