U.S. Army Staff Sgt. David D. Julian was killed recently in Baghdad, Iraq in a suicide bomb attack. Julian, middle, is pictured here placing a wreath on the Fallen Comrade statue at the dedication ceremony on September 20, 2003. Assisting Julian were Wyoming Adjutant Major General Edward Wright and an unidentified Marine corporal. COURTESY PHOTO/Uinta County Veteran’s Board

On his third tour of duty in Iraq, Staff Sgt. David D. Julian was killed March 10, in Baghdad, Iraq.

Julian was a 1994 Evanston High School graduate, and is the first Evanston casualty of the Iraq war. As of press time, the Department of Defense had not yet made an official statement or released details of Julian’s death.

Julian was with the U.S. Army’s 222 Armor Division 3rd Infantry based at Fort Stewart, Georgia. A suicide bomber, who reportedly approached an American patrol outside a computer store in Baghdad, killed Julian and four other US soldiers, reported Marian McLean, secretary for the Uinta County Commissioners.

“This has been tragic blow for our community,” said McLean. “He is someone our youth should look to as a true hero.”

Julian enlisted three years after high school graduation, after working as a welder in the area. Julian has been in the US Army for 10 years and has served in Germany, North Korea and Macedonia. He would have been 32 years old this June.

“David has come home to Evanston many times to see family,” McLean said. “Many of his visits coincided with our tributes to our veterans. He attended the Fallen Comrade dedication. He was just somebody who was a true military icon.”

Julian leaves a wife, Erin, and baby daughter, Elizabeth, now residing in Georgia. McLean said Julian did see his daughter when he was home for Christmas.

Today at noon, there will be a ceremony and a moment of silence when the flags will be placed at half-staff in front of the Uinta County Courthouse Complex. At that time the public is invited to place flowers at the Fallen Comrade Statue.

Julian will be laid to rest in the Evanston City Cemetary with full military honors.

At press time, details on the funeral service were not yet available, however Crandall Funeral Home will be making the arrangements. Governor Dave Freudenthal is expected to attend the services.

Condolences can be mailed to David’s wife, Erin Julian, P.O. Box 877, Ludowici, Georgia 31316 or to the Julian Family, 533 Center, Evanston, Wyoming 82930.