Spanns Mark the Fourth

By: Network News Service

Updated: Fri 5:01 PM, Jul 05, 2002

Mike Spann

The Fourth of July had special significance for the family of Alabama native and former CIA officer Mike Spann. His family observed the day at the 36th annual Spirit of America Festival in Decatur, Alabama. Spann was the first American killed in combat in Afghanistan.

"There are certainly things to mourn, the tragic losses we've all suffered in this last year," said Shannon Spann, Mike spann's widow. "Just as I think, that this festival is called the Spirit of America, I think that's something to celebrate that is something that no terrorist can take away from any of us."

His family said Mike spann would always read the Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of July. His wife took over the tradition this year.

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