SUFFERED A GREAT LOSS
While the focus today, tomorrow and for the next God-knows-how-many-days will be the death of a pop culture icon; while many will mourn, wail and quite literally make fools of themselves over it and while as many will speak endlessly about it, allow me, if only for a moment, to remind us all that others have died this month; others whose lives were cut short; others who leave behind loved ones and whose families will dearly miss them; families who’ll suffer with much more dignity and honor than we’ll be exposed to on the tube in the coming days.
Yes… it’s true… we’ve suffered a great loss… but forgive me while I tell you that I’m not talking about the king of pop music.
These American military members died in Iraq this month:
- Sergeant Justin J. Duffy
- Specialist Christopher M. Kurth
- Specialist Charles D. Parrish
- Lance Corporal Robert D. Ulmer
- Staff Sergeant Edmond L. Lo
- Sergeant Joshua W. Soto
- Captain Kafele H. Sims
- Specialist Chancellor A. Keesling
And these members of our U.S. Armed Forces died in Afghanistan this month:
- Sergeant Jones, Ricky D.
- Specialist Munguia Rivas, Rodrigo A.
- Command Master Chief Petty Officer Garber, Jeffrey J.
- 1st Sergeant Blair, John D.
- Sergeant Smith, Paul G.
- Staff Sergeant Melton, Joshua
- Sergeant 1st Class Dupont, Kevin A.
- Specialist O’Neill, Jonathan C.
- Chief Warrant Officer Richardson Jr., Ricky L.
- Specialist Silva, Eduardo S.
- Lance Corporal Whittle, Joshua R.
- Major Barnes, Rocco M.
- Major Jenrette, Kevin M.
- Staff Sergeant Beale, John C.
- Specialist Jordan, Jeffrey W.
- Specialist Griemel, Jarrett P.
- Specialist Hernandez I, Roberto A.
- Sergeant Obakrairur, Jasper K.
- Staff Sergeant Hall, Jeffrey A.
- Private 1st Class Ogden, Matthew D.
- Private 1st Class Wilson, Matthew W.
Let’s remember and honor this day those whose deaths are truly impacting.
God rest them and God comfort their loved ones they’ve left behind.
And may God use their deaths to remind us all of the shortness of our days.
WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE,
ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE
Freedom isn’t free, but the US Marine Corps is willing to pay most of your share.