Before now poetry has taken notice
Of wars, and what are wars but politics
Transformed from chronic to acute and bloody?
from "Build Soil"
Robert Frost

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

One Year

We turn 101 years old today. As I write this, it is one year almost to the minute from the event that would age us all more than any other. It was a hard week for our battalion- we had just remembered CPL Steve Shannon, who had been killed the night of January 31st. Then this morning, a year ago, we lost 3 good men to the biggest bomb anyone in our Task Force would have the misfortune to encounter.

To Mel, Dave, Brandi, families of Ross, Jim and Ray- we remember. We could never forget.

To those that read this from 3rd PLT- I wish I could be with you today. I made the pilgrammage you will make in this coming morning on Memorial Day. I feel like it was better for me to make it alone, in the same way I found out about our loss. Still... I wish I was there.

I don't want this post today to be about me, what I write or what I feel. Take a moment to remember these men and their families, and all the others that have given up their lives in service to our country.

And once again:

For those who have made the ultimate sacrifice
And for those now on their final tour
Gentlemen: lift up your glasses for absent companions.

Rest in peace
SGT Holtom
SGT Clevenger
PFC Werner
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8 comments:

  1. Scott Jacobs7/2/08 23:00

    "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived."
    - General George S. Patton, Jr

    Thank you for your service Gentlemen. I hope that we prove equal to what you gave.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous8/2/08 06:25

    In answer to your toast, I lift my virtual glass and respond: "To absent companions!"

    God Bless them, and their families, for their service and dedication to our Country!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Scott Jacobs8/2/08 07:30

    To absent companions!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sarge Charlie8/2/08 08:36

    This is a nice post TD, I will never forget and I also send a special big hug to Mel.......

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sarge Charlie8/2/08 08:40

    To absent companions.........

    ReplyDelete
  6. membrain8/2/08 09:54

    To absent companions.....

    ReplyDelete
  7. David M8/2/08 10:42

    The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the - Web Reconnaissance for 02/08/2008 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day...so check back often.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous9/2/08 13:30

    Here, here...lifting glass....

    ReplyDelete

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