Sometimes, even with a military background, I think it is harder on us as parents than on our young military adult "kids". During DD's time at USAFA, they lost 1 - 2 cadets a year. We try to shield our kids from the hardest parts of life, but their chosen profession exposes them to more than we can imagine. We tried to prepare her for this and, unfortunately, fear we were successful. We just pray that no one becomes "used to" death as a matter of their job. Some say, it is what we/they signed up for. I beg to differ.
Every life lost in the military is a significant tragedy and loss of a current or future hero. Few Americans will put themselves in harms way to protect every other American.
I apologize for becoming more sentimental and emotional since DD joined. When my father served, DH and I served, it didn't seem to be that big a deal, we just did what we needed to do. But, when our sons and daughters are in the fray, I sometimes just don't know how to deal with it.
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