Today the first Dutch soldier was killed in Iraq.

Some terrorist threw a grenade at a convoy while it was crossing a bridge. This is a terrible shock for The Netherlands, but for some reason the majority of the people still support the military presence there.

When compared to the hundreds of American soldiers killed since the so-called end of hostilities ("Mission accomplished!" according to president Bush on that aircraft carrier), this may not seem like much, but for the family in friends in the small Friesen village of Franeker it will probably be the biggest sacrifice of their lives.

It is all relative when you think about it.