13 US Service Members killed, 18 wounded

10 Marines, one Navy corpsman and two Army soldiers. Servicemen from three different services. The connection is visceral for many of us. My thoughts drift to the image just a few days ago of that Marine hoisting the baby over the wall for first aid. Was he one of the thirteen killed? Or is he now left to mourn over his brothers in arms? I drift back to many years ago and see a Marine 2nd lieutenant that cruised on our ship. He did another “pump” shortly after only to be killed in the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut in 1983. Some things one never forgets. God bless them all and may they rest in eternal peace.
 
As the only small Military unit for hundreds of miles I did a few Military Funerals. They stick with you especially for the young around your same age as you are carrying that casket.
 
God they are so young,
 

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I am struggling to process the grief. And I don’t know anyone directly affected. Our MIDN plays guitar and writes and sings.

And this made me feel close to him. It selfishly reminded me that I still have him when others have the greatest loss being delivered to them with the utmost dignity and empathy, by young sailors, marines and soldiers who are grieving; and knocking on doors.

Our son sang in a talent show a while back. His first effort at solo vocals. I wasn’t excited. I was nervous. He wasn’t and isn’t a strong vocalist. But the story spoke to him. And the audience. He introduced it.
The room stilled. And he sang it. There was not a dry eye. Jason Isbell, Dress Blues.
I would post it, it was beautiful. But anonymity is important.
My heart is with the families and loved ones. And for those who have loved ones in harms way.
 
Seeing photos of Max and the other young service members hurts me in a way I haven't experienced before. They're all my age, but chose to enlist and get in the **** right away. I scrolled through some of Max's social media. We have so much in common and I know we would've gotten along had we known each other. Their losses feel like losing a family member or close friend. I have a few buddies who enlisted around the same time I reported to USNA. I think I'm troubled because yesterday's loss feels like it could've been them, and may well be in the future. I don't think I'll ever forget Corpsman Max Soviak's name.
 
Sandy Hook is a few miles from my house and when the first reports came over the radio of a school shooting my wife was teaching first grade at a near by grammar school. Think about how that feels.
 
Skipper07 said:
Seeing photos of Max and the other young service members hurts me in a way I haven't experienced before. They're all my age, but chose to enlist and get in the **** right away. I scrolled through some of Max's social media. We have so much in common and I know we would've gotten along had we known each other. Their losses feel like losing a family member or close friend. I have a few buddies who enlisted around the same time I reported to USNA. I think I'm troubled because yesterday's loss feels like it could've been them, and may well be in the future. I don't think I'll ever forget Corpsman Max Soviak's name.
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My words won’t fix anything. I am sorry for your grief. your words mirror those of our son. A youngster
Several young men from his high school class enlisted and I was ashamed to be grateful their names were not listed.
How selfish am I?

Your grief is real. And legit. You have friends and peers in harms way.
Don’t minimize your grief.
Don’t lessen it. Grab it. Share it with your shipmates. The grief across the country is palpable. You are not alone.

Had you enlisted? Who can say. That is out of your hands. Out of the hands of the universe. Help your team and shipmates. Take care of you.
You are in my thoughts. I and others are here for you if and when needed.
 
I've grieved over every Corpsman and Marine death since I retired. I foolishly feel guilty that I couldn't help them or at least be there and try.

My son is in charge of the final exercise, FINEX, which is a force-on-force big deal type of thing, for units going through Integrated Training Exercise (ITX). Lots of people and moving parts. The two units who are on the ground in that forsaken place had gone through their ITX at 29 Palms prior to their deployment. DS knows the leadership in both and knows one of the Marines who is now being treated for his injuries in Germany.

He is currently doing an ITX for the next group to go out and while his job is inherently dangerous, I know he is generally safe. My wife texted him last night even though he is usually not reachable. He texted back though and told us he is OK. I slept better last night than I have all week.
 
I have also been profoundly impacted this week. We approach the 20th anniversary of the day that started this mess. Now I have kids with one ia Plebe at USNA. I now have friends who have kids in the Service.

20 years ago 343 of my brothers were killed trying to rescue fellow Americans from the towering infernos. This week 13 more heroes died trying to rescue Americans and Afghanis who rightfully deserve to be called Americans.

At a time when America seems to being pulled apart at the seams by politics and greed and mistrust. We are still the greatest country in the world despite our problems.

Fair winds and following seas to the newest heroes.
 
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