Farewell…

I just got back from the memorial services for a friend of mine and two others that died in an IED earlier this week.  That was harder than I thought.  I was doing good till the end.  They were traveling down one of the many roads through our AO on a regular combat patrol.  I am not sure of their exact mission, but they were hit by a large IED detonated by some insurgents.  He died immediately and I doubt he even knew what happened.  I was there for the recovery.

He was a good soldier and friend.  We had uncannily familiar backgrounds.  Both born in the same city in California (I think the same hospital), both moved to Alabama where we grew up and both call Alabama home.  We both joined the army in the late 80s, got out, and then came back into service as medics about a year apart.  He always had a way with people too.  He could get his point across, offer advice and people would listen.  I wish I had half the gift he had in that regard.

Almost everyone in the medical shop used to go over to his house on weekends.  We would eat, drink, and have some good times.  His wife was one of the first people my wife met when she moved to the base.  He was always concerned about the junior soldiers and making sure they weren’t bored or alone.  Sometimes it got him in trouble, but he always had your back.  I know his wife and children.  I can’t help but think about them at a time like this.  My wife has been over there most the week, but its hard to think about their loss.

I am really not sure where I am going with this article other than to say the loss hit a lot of people hard, including myself.  So much to say, and no way of really saying it. There is always the chance that today will be the last day you see a friend here.  You will be missed friend.

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