Fallen Comrade
October 4, 2007
I was unsure as to what my first post would be about up until two days ago. It was my third night in country and I was informed we would be honoring a fallen comrade sometime after midnight. I had been briefed when I first got here that this would happen from time to time but I did not expect it so soon. So that night just after midnight all the military personnel begin to file out and line up along the main street through the base. It was a cool night with the temp somewhere in the mid fifties. The wind was blowing so it made it seem colder than it really was. Even though the street was lined with a couple hundred folks is was quiet and somber. Right around 0045 the vehicle carrying our fallen hero appeared, we were called to attention and we rendered a salute as the flag draped coffin passed by. Another one of America’s best has paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. It was humbling. I pray the family of our hero will find solace that his death was not in vain. He had a part in freeing a whole country from tyranny and abuse. He helped ensure that criminals, thugs and terrorists will not find safe haven in this country. He helped in the effort to prevent another cowardly attack against unarmed and innocent American citizens. I will remember that night for as long as I live.
I wanted to start this blog with some kind of humorous story about my dealing with Army or what it is like to be 20+ year Submariner working in the desert, but remembering we are at war and young Americans are dying everyday seemed to be more important. I will save the anecdotes for another day.
