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Memorial Day
Memorial Day... A day set aside to remember the fallen.
I was going to try and post something poetic and then list all my buddies who have been killed in action or as a result of war. However, I realize that there are now simply too many to keep straight. I'll mention the first I knew and most recent... hopefully the last... but that's just not likely.
Mike Speer and I went through infantry training together at Camp Pendleton in 2001. He was one of those country-strong types from KS that can carry unbelievable loads all day. One of the "Old men" at 24. He was the guy people would approach with problems. If he couldn't help you fix it, he was always willing to drink a beer and listen. He was killed in action April 9th 2004 in Lutafiyah, Iraq leaving behind a wife (23 at the time). His death was a hard reality check. He always seemed indestructible..
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David Roten and I were on a team together since he left the Army in 2010. He was a veteran of 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and had spent the majority of his time stationed at Ft. Carson. He was a climbing, surfing, traveling fool and all-around stud. During a gunfight on Nov 27th 2014 he left a secure position and exposed himself to enemy fire so he could put accurate 40mm rounds on enemy machine gun positions in order to cover the extraction of a wounded man from our sister team. The wounded man was evacuated safely. Dave was killed by small arms fire.
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So here's a toast, boys. 'Til Valhalla.
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To my father, a better man than I will ever be.
Korea - mortar platoon and then combat medic - Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars.
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R.I.P. Brave Warriors.
A fitting tribute Mick-Boy.
Damn allergies today.
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Thanks for sharing, Mick-Boy.
For my Air Force brethren:
Here's a toast, to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky.
To a friend, we send a message of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old
Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold.
A toast to the host of the men we boast, the U.S. Air Force!
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They look like good and honorable men.
This weekend, and most especially tomorrow we honor the men and women who have fallen in service for the citizens of this country. We need to remember their ultimate sacrifice and carry that with us throughout the rest of the year so their sacrifice is not wasted.
On Memorial Day we remember our fallen men and women not simply because of the manner of their deaths, but more so because of the lives they led. Lives worthy of memorial, with love and honor and a calling to duty and sacrifice - leading to their ultimate sacrifice for others.
This and every Memorial Day we must remember them with love as they had such a great love for all of us that they gave their lives for us.
Remember too the broken families they've left behind and seek to repay the debt we owe to them as well - for they have sacrificed just as much.
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Memorial Day is a time for reflection, to remember those that sacrificied and gave all defending the freedom and liberty that we enjoy.
Take a moment, say a prayer to honor them.
I'm very fortunate my father returned safely from WWII (3rd Army, 301st Signal Corp) to meet my mother and bring my older siblings and I into this world. I am especially thankful my son returned safely from his 3 tours split between Iraq and Afghanistan. We've lost friends, they will never be forgotten nor their sacrifice taken lightly.
Mick-Boy thank you for telling me a little about your fallen brethren, they will be honored and remembered.
