Cadet Riley Howell sounds like he was a great kid.

He should be posthumously awarded the Army Soldier’s Medal or Air Force Airman’s Medal, for heroism not involving enemy conflict. It wasn’t clear whether he was AROTC or AFROTC. The term “hero” is too casually used today. Not for this young man. He knowingly risked his life to save others, tackling someone was was armed, dangerous and clearly willing to shoot to kill. That took tremendous courage and presence of mind. Small comfort for his family, but he was clearly a young man worth knowing.

Though his is not a combat death, he showed a warrior spirit, and I’ll salute him with the excerpt from Lawrence Binyon’s poem, “For The Fallen,” that is often used as a toast:

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. “
 
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Riley Howell was a hero who ran towards the sound of chaos.

The following is from a USMC commercial but I offer these words as a toast to Riley Howell: “Most people hear the sounds of chaos and run in the opposite direction. But there are a few who listen intently for these sounds, not in the hopes of hearing them, but to help rid the world of them.”
 
One news source reported age as 21 and status as MS1. I hope recognition doesn’t get snagged on whether he was contracted or not. Early news reports can also be error-ridden.
 
I am thankful for people like Riley who answer the call of duty to sacrifice for others. It is a shame that their heroism is known to others only in these moments of tragedy and that we lose their potential for the future of our country.
 
I hope that Riley will be recognized for his courage via whatever means available to his ROTC program. It's clear he was not going to let that shooter wreak havoc on his watch, it's unfortunate that it was his last watch. The loss of a young man of that caliber is a loss to all of us.

This stanza from a poem by General George S. Patton, Jr. came to mind immediately.

Let me not mourn for the men who have died fighting,
But rather let me be glad that such heroes have lived.
If it be my lot to die, let me do so with courage and honor
In a manner which will bring the greatest harm to the Enemy,
and please, oh Lord, protect and guide those
I Shall leave behind.

Give us victory, Lord.
 
Yes, it was announced that he will be buried with full military honors this morning.

Essentially, this entails a casket team, a firing party, a bugler (for taps), and the folding and presentation of the American flag to next of kin. As well as an escort, a military band, and a horse-drawn caisson for the body.

I truly believe that Cadet Howell deserves the utmost respect and honor possible for his sacrifice to our country. I am very proud to call him my brother-in-arms.
 
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