Been 6 years.

We had been out on patrol for several hours and finally stopped at my favorite PB, Patrol Base Faheem, it was here that my former platoon slept, ate, and prepped for patrol after patrol, day after day in the oppressive heat and constant danger that was, and is to this day Sangin Afghanistan.

Faheem was nothing more than 8' high earthen walls pushed into a triangle shape by the Combat engineer's of 2nd CEB, with each point of the triangle protected by a single Marine in a hesco barrier and sandbag guard post, Faheem stood alone as the furthest American post in the district. It was Indian country. 6 hour firefights were an almost daily occurrence.

My then current platoon had just delivered some much needed supplies to the guys, water, food, mail, new boots. We were maybe 200 meters outside friendly lines when the call came out, "Bravo Fox. Routine casualty" it was said in such a calm, relaxed and casual tone that I wanted to be convinced someone had tripped and broken an ankle, or become a heat casualty, but I knew it wouldn't be that easy. Lcpl. John Farias had been shot fatally by a loser mercenary from Pakistan, who had come to Helmand Province in the Sangin valley to kill Americans.

Navy Corpsman Doc Gardner worked on Farias for half an hour, but to no avail, he was dead before his body hit the ground. He was placed in a USGI black body bag and placed in one of our gun trucks for the hour long drive to the Regimental FOB. The whole drive I was angry. I wanted to murder everyone I saw. When we got to the FOB my VC wouldn't let me carry his stretcher to the LZ. I ran behind some parked vehicles and wept like a small child.

I want to believe we accomplished something of value in that God forsaken place but I know we didn't. I hope John's family continues to find comfort in peace in the knowledge that their son was the caliber of Marine that few Americans are blessed to know, and that they, for those few years of his short life had the privilege of raising and knowing him.

Rest in peace Johnny.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...fff27a9a45.jpg

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I'm sorry for his family's loss and yours as well. Godspeed on the healing of your wounds as well.

RIP, Marine.

R.I.P. my fellow brother. 'Til Valhalla. Semper Fi.

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Originally Posted by MrAK

I'm sorry for his family's loss and yours as well. Godspeed on the healing of your wounds as well.

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THIS

BIG TIME

May the bastard that killed Lcpl John Farias meet with karma.

May John Farias never be forgotten.

R.I.P.

Have you considered reaching out to the family?

Heartfelt Condolences to you.

May he rest in peace. :(

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Originally Posted by WETWRKS

Have you considered reaching out to the family?

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I have. I'm not sure how to go about it. I've never met his folks. He was not married and did not have any children. Last I heard his family lives in Texas.

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https://youtu.be/5gAMbf_u__8

This was the short video John made for his family and friends a few days before he was KIA.

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I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. It's heartbreaking.

To those we lost and live on in us, we owe each day to be what they would have been. Be the best of yourself to your fellow brothers and sisters.

:(

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Originally Posted by MOLON LABE

I have. I'm not sure how to go about it. I've never met his folks. He was not married and did not have any children. Last I heard his family lives in Texas.

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For what it's worth, I reached out to the parents of a buddy of mine that was killed in '04 right after I got out (2005). I didn't really think I had anything to offer them, I just wanted them to know that their son hadn't been forgotten. I shared some memories of their son on deployment. Stuff that he probably wouldn't have told them about but that made him sound good. Close calls, funny antics, that sort of thing. I shared with them a side of their son that they didn't know.

To this day I get letters (actual hand written letters) from his mom from time to time. The common message is how much it means to her that someone else remembers her son for the good man that he was.

All that to say, I think it's worth reaching out. You can tell them about a side of their son that they were never able to see. They didn't really know John Farias the Marine. Most families will value that very highly. Just my $.02.

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Originally Posted by Mick-Boy

For what it's worth, I reached out to the parents of a buddy of mine that was killed in '04 right after I got out (2005). I didn't really think I had anything to offer them, I just wanted them to know that their son hadn't been forgotten. I shared some memories of their son on deployment. Stuff that he probably wouldn't have told them about but that made him sound good. Close calls, funny antics, that sort of thing. I shared with them a side of their son that they didn't know.

To this day I get letters (actual hand written letters) from his mom from time to time. The common message is how much it means to her that someone else remembers her son for the good man that he was.

All that to say, I think it's worth reaching out. You can tell them about a side of their son that they were never able to see. They didn't really know John Farias the Marine. Most families will value that very highly. Just my $.02.

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Where's that darn "like" button when I need it?

I would agree that even (or especially) after all of these years it would probably mean a lot to the family to know he was remembered by others outside the family.

I took Micks advice, I have thought about reaching out many times, but for various excuses and reasons haven't. I emailed the pastor that preformed the funeral service in an attempt to get the contact info of his parents. If that doesn't pan out I will try a different route.

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IM'd you with link to another video with a poster claiming to be family. If all your other efforts to find contact info do not pan out.

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Originally Posted by MOLON LABE

I have. I'm not sure how to go about it. I've never met his folks. He was not married and did not have any children. Last I heard his family lives in Texas.

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Good luck with the search, if the Pastor doesn't pan out then keep at it!

R.I.P.
I found this scholarship page. It appears his mother is the president and his father is a trustee. Page has a phone number and email info.

http://www.johnfelixfariasmemorialscholarship.com

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Originally Posted by driver

R.I.P.
I found this scholarship page. It appears his mother is the president and his father is a trustee. Page has a phone number and email info.

http://www.johnfelixfariasmemorialscholarship.com

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Thanks Driver!

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You're welcome. I hope you can connect with them.