Standing Strong

Soldier's widow gives birth less than a week after his death in Iraq
By The Associated Press


Article Launched: 06/29/2007 01:23:15 PM MDT





ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A young woman whose husband was killed in Iraq last week has given birth to the couple's first child. Alia Dahl, 19, of Los Lunas, went into labor Thursday and gave birth to a boy, Kaiden Anthony, Thursday evening. Doctors had planned to induce labor on Friday. Her husband, Army Sgt. Joel Dahl, 21, of Los Lunas, was killed June 23 during small arms fire south of Baghdad. He had been scheduled to leave Iraq on July 2. Alia Dahl was trying to plan his funeral and prepare to give birth to their baby when thieves made off with her 1998 Honda on Tuesday. Inside the car were pictures of her husband, a CD he had made for her and things she needed for the baby, including a quilt the soldier's grandmother made. When the car was recovered Thursday morning from the parking lot of a private school, the photos, CD and quilt were missing. "The things that were inside were what was really important," Alia Dahl said. The report of her stolen car prompted an outpouring of offers from people who offered to provide cars to her and sent or pledged thousands of dollars, said Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, who is heading a fundraising effort. He said the money would still go toward a new car

War widow welcomes baby Dahl -- Video

Los Lunas Iraq war widow's stolen car to be replaced
Tribune staff and wireThursday, June 28, 2007


Bernalillo County sheriff's deputies are raising money to replace a car stolen from the pregnant widow of a soldier killed in Iraq.
Alia Dahl's 1998 Honda Civic was stolen on June 27 at night while the 19-year-old Los Lunas resident was staying in Albuquerque. She's overdue to give birth and her doctor wanted her close to the hospital.
Her husband, Army Sgt. Joel Dahl, 21, was killed on June 23. He was scheduled to leave Iraq next week.
U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici said in a release, he called Dahl to offer condolences. When he learned her car had been stolen, he called Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, who volunteered to lead the purchase effort.


More ...

KOB.com - Los Lunas soldier killed in Iraq: "Los Lunas soldier killed in Iraq ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - Another New Mexico soldier has died in Iraq. Twenty-one-year-old Army Corporal Joel Dahl died Saturday south of Baghdad. His stepfather, Joe Aragon, says Dahl died during a small-arms fire attack. Aragon says Dahl had been scheduled to return home just days after the birth of his son, Kayden. He says doctors are planning to induce labor on Dahl’s wife, Alia, on Friday. Dahl was to leave Iraq on July Second. Aragon says Dahl’s wife, Alia, had wanted to suprise her husband with the new baby boy. Dahl graduated from Los Lunas High School and joined the military soon after. Aragon says Dahl had wanted the experience to jump-start a career in law enforcement. Aragon says his son always enjoyed helping other people.