Fellow soldier remembers courage of Capt. Kahn

To those who served with U.S. Army Capt. Humayun Kahn, he was a pillar of strength.

When he was deployed in 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he provided the soldiers serving with him confidence in their mission.

“He said, ‘I’m not going to leave you. You’re fine. We’re going to be there together,'” said Laci Walker, a veteran of the Iraq War who served with Capt. Kahn.

Walker said Kahn always put the safety and well-being of the soldiers he served with ahead of his own.

“I know as a human being and as a soldier, every day he would always look out for us. He would always make sure we were safe,” Walker said.

On June 8, 2004, four months into his tour of duty, Khan was inspecting soldier on guard duty. When a suspicious vehicle approached, he ordered his fellow soldiers to stay back. Kahn walked toward the approaching vehicle with his arm outstretched.

The suicide bomber detonated the vehicle, killing Kahn. His actions prevented the vehicle from reaching a nearby mess hall where hundreds of soldiers were eating breakfast.

“After he tragically died, I had a dream that he came to me and I said, ‘Sir you said you wouldn’t leave me. You said I wouldn’t have to do Iraq without you.’ And he said, ‘I’m not, I’m not gone. Just don’t forget me. I’ll always be here with you guys. Just don’t forget me,'” Walker said.

She now honors the memory of Kahn with 11 letters permanently penned on her left arm. The letters spell out Unforgotten.