Training Day

Images courtesy: Cpl. Reece Lodder

When I recently asked a decorated Marine what was going through his mind while he was being shot at by enemy snipers in Iraq, his response was simple.

"My training," he said.

Even though the Marine lost a limb during the chaotic battle, he almost certainly would have been killed were it not for the intense preparation he underwent before entering a combat zone. It's what makes a dramatic series of exercises in the Mojave Desert, just completed by 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, so important to notice. It saved lives.

Soon, Marines of the 3/3 will deploy to Afghanistan's Helmand province, where so many of their brothers in arms have been wounded, injured, and killed in the last few years. Just this week, at least two U.S. Marines lost their lives on the treacherous terrain that fellow warriors training in the Mojave Desert will soon patrol.

Lance Cpl. Franklin Watson, 21, Vonore, Tennessee
Lance Cpl. John Wimpey Cagle, 19, Tucker, Georgia

I'm not sure if Cpl. Reece Lodder is deploying to Afghanistan, but after his fine work covering the Enhanced Mohave Viper training exercise (linked here and here) on the Military 24/7 iPad App, which is also offered for free by DVIDS for the iPhone and Android, it is clear that this military journalist has some very valuable insights to offer.

Cpl. Lodder spoke to several brave Marines training at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, for Afghanistan's brutal terrain, which may be even more difficult to endure than the Mojave Desert's merciless heat.

“My team of Marines is ready to fight,” Pfc. Dan Wood, a team leader with Lima Company, 3/3, told Lodder. “I don’t have combat experience yet, but I’m prepared to handle my team and assist my squad leader because of how we handled ourselves here. This translates to our squad and builds upward from there.”
Describing one Marine as "dripping with sweat but far from haggard," Lodder spoke to his fellow warrior about how he'll deal with the continued threat posed by al Qaeda and the Taliban on post-9/11 battlefields.

“Every day, the enemy is finding new ways to try and kill us, but we’re finding better ways to counter-attack,” Lance Cpl. DaJuan Dilworth said. “We’re not training to quietly bypass them. We’re training to find and destroy them ourselves.”

I have no doubt that these Marines will find and destroy terrorists in Afghanistan. But I also hope and pray that God keeps them safe.

Just in case God is too busy during one of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment's many days and nights on the battlefield, these strong, valiant Marines will still have a huge advantage over the enemy in their back pockets. They have their training.

Of Consequence

Image courtesy: Senior Airman Grovert Fuentes-Contreras

As another work day winds up in the United States, another day at war in Afghanistan winds down.

While thousands of U.S. troops spend their nights inside tents, all of us hope and pray that no Americans were killed, wounded, or injured on Tuesday in Afghanistan, and that our men and women in uniform will stay safe during any combat operations that will be carried out under cover of night.

Sadly, we now know that U.S. troops were lost in Afghanistan on September 23 and 24. These painful tragedies underscore a difficult reality that our nation, and especially its media, seems unwilling to grasp: the situation in Afghanistan is urgent and demands our constant attention. Let us pause to reflect on the remarkable lives of three brave American soldiers killed overseas on Friday and Saturday, as many of us enjoyed a calm, peaceful weekend on the home front.

Sgt. Rafael Bigai Baez, 28, San Juan, Puerto Rico

While The New York Times notes Sgt. Bigai Baez's ultimate sacrifice in its "names of the dead" feature, this soldier and his fallen comrades were much more than names on a list. According to Holly Boname of WWTI-TV, the soldier was a husband and a father of two children.

Boname reports that the Puerto Rican native had been in Afghanistan since October. Bigai Baez joined the military eight years before leaving for what would be is final deployment.

The soldier's uncommon valor earned him the Bronze Star Medal.

Pfc. Carlos Aparicio, 19, San Bernadino, California

According to the Pentagon, Pfc. Aparicio died in the same tragic incident as Sgt. Bigai Baez, when terrorists attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device Friday in Afghanistan's rugged Wardak province. Both soldiers were assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

Boname's report said Aparicio deployed to Afghanistan in February after joining the Army in June 2010. The 19-year-old San Bernadino, California, warrior leaves behind his mom and dad.

A report by Elex Michaelson of KABC-TV in Los Angeles also mentions that the soldier, who was also awarded the Bronze Star, had a fiancee, who now mourns alongside Aparicio's parents.

"He died for what he believed in, he died for us, all of us here," Aparicio's mother, Connie, told the local TV station.

Sgt. Tyler Holtz, 22, Dana Point, California

What this volunteer warrior stood for can perhaps be perfectly summed up by Lt. Col. David Hodne, commander of the Army's 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

“Tyler Holtz personified the Ranger Creed to the final moments of his life, and his actions inspire us to do the same,” Lt. Col. Hodne said in a statement.

An article by Adam Ashton in The News Tribune, near Washington's Joint Base Lewis-McChord, said the former high school football standout was on his fourth deployment to Afghanistan since joining the Army almost four years ago. The Pentagon said he was killed Saturday when terrorists attacked his unit using small arms fire in Wardak province.

Sgt. Holtz, who earned his Bronze Star Medal by spending the last four years of his life flying back and forth from post-9/11 battlefields to protect his fellow citizens, leaves behind his mom, dad, and three brothers.

Tonight, we hope and pray that the Bigai Baez, Aparicio, and Holtz families find peace. These three families have sacrificed unimaginably in order to give us that privilege, and they deserve to live the rest of their lives knowing that like their departed loved ones, they've done their part to keep America strong.

Why must so many good men and women die to keep us safe? It's a question that can be debated until the end of time. What cannot be debated, however, is that we are extraordinarily fortunate to live in a country where people like Sgt. Rafael Bigai Baez, Pfc. Carlos Aparicio, and Sgt. Tyler Holtz are willing to lay their lives down to give us another chance at making things right in the world.

As Tuesday night raids begin in Afghanistan, those of us on the home front are left with an enormous opportunity to learn from the heroism of three brave men of consequence. Whether we start paying more attention to the sacrifices of their brothers and sisters in arms is up to us.

Image courtesy: Spc. Jacob Kohrs

Brother in Arms

Image courtesy: Michael G. Reagan Portrait Foundation

Kathleen Shannon thinks about her big brother every day.

She vividly remembers when, as a young child, she fell off her bike while riding down a steep hill near the family home in Guttenberg, Iowa. Kathleen landed face-first on the pavement, breaking her glasses and cutting her face.

As she lay on the ground sobbing, her oldest brother, future U.S. Army Cpl. Stephen Shannon, took her in his arms.

"Stephen ran down the hill, picked me up, and walked me home," Kathleen, now 23, told the Unknown Soldiers. "He put me on the couch, got an ice pack and tended to me until our mom got home."

While Stephen was a mischievous child who sometimes teased his siblings, he would lay his life down for them in a heartbeat.

"That's one of those memories I have of him really caring for me," Kathleen continued. "He never wanted me to get hurt."

As a 21-year-old American soldier deployed in Iraq, Cpl. Shannon still didn't want to see anyone — other than the enemy — get hurt. He joined the Army Reserve in a time of war to protect the lives of others and find more purpose in his own.

"It was a combination of patriotism and wanting to better himself," his sister explained. "Joining the military ... you learn discipline, responsibility, hard work, and leadership."

The soldier was raised by Daniel and Joan Shannon, who Kathleen calls "the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie of the Midwest." In addition to Stephen and Kathleen, they raised Molly, 20, and Patrick, 18, while adopting three children: Jack, 12, from South Korea; Mara, 6, from China; and Liam, 4, from Ethiopia. Like his parents, Stephen instantly connected with kids around the world.

"Children were drawn to him," Kathleen said. "He could easily make anyone laugh, even in serious situations."

Something else stood out to Kathleen as the siblings kept in close contact during Stephen's five months serving in Iraq with the Army's 396th Engineer Battalion. Half a world away from Iowa's golden fields, her brother was growing up.

"He realized that it wasn't all about him anymore," she explained. "He was with his comrades."

On Jan. 30, 2007, Cpl. Shannon drove over an improvised explosive device planted by terrorists in Ramadi, Iraq. According to Kathleen, shrapnel tore into her brother's leg, causing blood loss so massive that the military had to contact her parents.

Minutes later, Kathleen, who was on her way to an evening study group at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis., got a call from home.

"Kathleen, your brother has been in an explosion in Iraq," she vividly remembers her father saying.

Like the day she plunged from her bicycle as an innocent child, Kathleen was helpless.

"It felt like I had been punched in the gut," she said. "I fell to my knees and lost all strength in my legs."

As she desperately awaited more news, the devastated sister briefly fell asleep. It was in Kathleen's dreams that her big brother took her in his arms once again.

"He told me he was dead," she said. "In the dream I said, 'No, this can't be happening. This can't be real. I'll make a deal with the devil and bargain to keep you alive — I'll even trade places.'"

"No, it's not your time," Kathleen's brother replied in the dream. "You have to stay here — you have a long life to live."

When she woke up, Stephen was dead. Yet, even in the painful weeks, months, and years that followed, he still managed to pick up his little sister, again and again.

"You can be consumed by death and go to very dark places," she explained. "Your life can absolutely fall apart."

While her journey hasn't been easy, Kathleen, who is expecting her first child, believes that from above, Stephen is still guiding her out of life's steep valleys.

"It's made me a stronger human being, and I survived," she concluded. "I overcame death — his death."

Cpl. Stephen Shannon was willing to lay his life down for his siblings. As Americans who sleep under a blanket of freedom that this selfless soldier helped weave, we are his brothers and sisters too.

COPYRIGHT 2011 CREATORS.COM

Having a Beer

File image courtesy: Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante

For millions of American adults fortunate enough to have a Monday through Friday job, the weekend is a time to kick back, relax, and maybe even have a beer. For thousands of U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, who are not allowed to drink alcohol while deployed to war zones, many are barely old enough to buy a beer when they get home.

I don't know whether Spc. Robert Dyas, 21, enjoyed having a beer now and then. What I do know is that before his tragic death on Wednesday in Kandahar, he sadly didn't have much time in his life to enjoy something that many adults take for granted when we have a cold one on our porches or local bars. I also know, judging by the comments from his loved ones, that this Idaho native was a good man.

“He was a good soldier; he served our country well,” stepfather Jerry Nowland said at a news conference covered by The Idaho Statesman. “I can’t put into words what I am experiencing."

Kathleen Kreller's article said that after Spc. Dyas returned from Afghanistan and completed his Army service, he planned to marry his beloved fiancee, Kasey Kobelt, start a family, and perhaps even run a farm.

“She was his future,” Nowland reportedly said of Kobelt.

On Wednesday, September 21, few -- especially inside national newsrooms -- were paying attention to the war in Afghanistan on the home front. Thousands of miles away, Dyas and his brother in arms, Spc. Jakob Roelli, 24, were making the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. The Pentagon said the soldiers were killed in Kandahar province when terrorists attacked the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment with small arms fire.

Spc. Dyas dreamed of running a farm in Idaho. The soldier he was killed alongside, Spc. Roelli, grew up on one in Wisconsin. Roelli was also a talented athlete who, while away from the football field or the golf course, had no trouble carrying a tune on stage as performer. Meg Jones of The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel spoke to his high school principal.

"He was a good singer, good actor, just a fun-loving kid," MacArthur told the newspaper. "Obviously, a person thatwasn't afraid to try something new."

The article notes that the soldier's grandfather, Edwin Roelli, helped J. Robert Oppenheimer secretly lead development of the atomic bomb during World War II. Many years later, another Roelli played a critical role in another war that will shape the lives of many future generations. Our deepest condolences go out to the Roelli and Dyas families.

When I have a beer tonight at the Washington Nationals-Atlanta Braves game at Nationals Park, where troops and military families are honored during all 81 home games, I will think of two American soldiers who fought to give me the freedom to responsibly exercise a privilege that they were barely able to enjoy themselves.

Tonight, I raise my glass to the men and women who risk their lives so we can enjoy our weekends in peace.




Note: This post's purpose is to honor the fallen, not to promote the consumption of alcohol. If you choose to drink, please do so safely and responsibly.

This is Not an Exit

Image courtesy: Senior Airman Sean Martin

When I saw the above photo on the wonderful Military 24/7 iPad App, which is also offered for free by DVIDS for the iPhone and Android, I realized that talk by politicians about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq is mostly just that: talk.

As men and women in suits chatter about planned exits from Afghanistan and Iraq, men and women in fatigues are fighting for all of our lives in faraway lands. A new Army report, relayed here by Stars and Stripes, points out that in addition to the 332 U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan this year, at least 147 have suffered amputations.

War is hellish, ugly, and very real. If the "reality TV" that pollutes the screens of so many Americans actually focused on reality, maybe our nation would reawaken to the enormous sacrifices being made by its protectors.

Senior Airman Sean Martin's photo was taken September 20 in Kandahar. The brave airman's work clearly demonstrates that U.S. troops are still risking their lives on the battlefield every single day, regardless of the rhetorical flavor of the month on Capitol Hill. Politicians -- whether Republican, Democratic, or Independent -- are mostly looking out for themselves. American warriors who volunteer to serve our country and protect their fellow citizens are looking out for us.

While the national media no longer finds it fashionable to consistently spotlight the daily sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, our troops press forward, undeterred by talk, or lack thereof, on the home front.

"I want to have done everything I possibly can to further the mission and advance American interests," Capt. Pete Hegseth recently wrote The Unknown Soldiers from Kabul. "I don't want a single regret, and will make sure time here is not wasted."

About 99 percent of Americans, including myself, have never deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq. Therefore, paying attention to developments on the ground on both battlefronts is critically important. We can't hope to understand what our troops and their families are going through, or help them, unless we have some idea of what's happening in the war zones.

"That's one thing about deployments—they're tough, but they're also simple. Sleep, workout, eat, work, eat, work, eat, work, sleep…repeat 7 days a week," Capt. Hegseth explained. "It's the families back home that have the most difficult part."

Since this blog's most recent post, at least one more American family has been forced to deal with incomprehensible loss. The Army said Spc. Ryan Cook, 29, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, died September 18 in Afghanistan's Takhar province when terrorists attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences go out to the Cook family during this unimaginably difficult time.

Almost 44,500 U.S. troops are still serving in Iraq, with the number expected to drop to about 40,000 by the end of September. Even as our valiant service members come home, the men and women still stationed there still face danger. That's why Gen. Lloyd Austin, commanding general of United States Forces - Iraq, is taking time to personally thank the troops who are trying to help end a war as safely as possible. This blog also thanks Gen. Austin, who is pictured below in another photo I found on the Military 24/7 iPad App, for his selfless service and exceptional leadership.

As tens of thousands of Americans from our cities and towns march through the treacherous sands of Iraq and Afghanistan, no exit signs are flashing. Instead, the American flag is proudly waving. Politicians can talk about these wars and journalists can ignore them, but we -- the quiet, silent majority of this great country -- know in our hearts who is keeping us free. Until thousands of military families are reunited, our attention must not waver.

Image courtesy: Sgt. John Couffer

We Will Remember Them

Image courtesy: Master Sgt. James Frank

To remember, you need to notice in the first place. With the exception of Sgt. Dakota Meyer, who was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama on September 15, the national media has almost completely ignored the sacrifices of our troops and their families since the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

With an e-mail inbox tragically filled with casualty notices from the Department of Defense, I decided to take a look at the websites of Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC early Tuesday morning in the hopes of finding more information about the war in Afghanistan. While scanning the top story sections of all three news websites, I found exactly one article about combat operations in Afghanistan -- a Fox News article about an attack warning alarm at the U.S. embassy in Kabul.

As American troops perform a great service to our nation, journalists at national TV networks and newspapers continue to do this country a great disservice by ignoring our true heroes. As the ten year anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan draws closer, on the heels of August 2011, which was the conflict's deadliest month, there is no valid excuse for downplaying the sacrifices of these brave warriors and their brothers and sisters in arms.

Sgt. 1st Class Danial Adams, 35, Portland, Oregon
Sgt. Rodolfo Rodriguez Jr., 26, Pharr, Texas
Cpl. Michael Dutcher, 22, Asheville, North Carolina
Sgt. Mycal Prince, 28, Minco, Oklahoma
Staff Sgt. Michael Hosey, 27, Birmingham, Alabama
Sgt. Garrick Eppinger Jr., 25, Appleton, Wisconsin
Spc. Chazray Clark, 24, Ecorse, Michigan

From the crisp air of the pacific northwest to the majestic mountains of western North Carolina, the Adams, Rodriguez, Dutcher, Prince, Hosey, Eppinger, and Clark families are in deep mourning. As national media outlets look the other way, our eyes are fixed squarely on the loved ones of these fallen heroes. We have noticed your sacrifices.

In the days, weeks, and months ahead The Unknown Soldiers blog will redouble its efforts to spotlight those who make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. With the press delinquent in its solemn duty to report on wars that directly impact our daily lives, the mission to tell the stories of remarkable families like the Matteonis continues with renewed vigor.

I spoke with Sgt. Dakota Meyer by phone on August 15, one month before he received the Medal of Honor at the White House. While our conversation was brief, I can say without a shred of doubt that this brave American patriot, who spent some of his life's best years serving in the Marines, would agree that there are thousands upon thousands of genuine heroes in the military who are never awarded medals.

Every single day, Sgt. Meyer wears two bracelets honoring the memory of the four fallen troops he dragged out of a chaotic eastern Afghanistan battle: 1st Lt. Michael Johnson, Staff Sgt. Aaron Kenefick, Gunnery Sgt. Edwin Johnson Jr., and Petty Officer 3rd Class James Layton. As he retreats to a farm in Kentucky, Meyer will always remember these men.

While our arms are not long enough to wear bracelets honoring each fallen hero of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, our hearts are certainly equipped to carry their legacies.

Freedom is not an accident. It is earned and preserved by men and women willing to fight. Today and every day, we will remember them.

Image courtesy: Sgt. James Shea


Note: After this post was written, news of former Afghan president Burhanuddin Rabbani's assassination was reported by national media outlets. As of 11:27 a.m. EDT, stories about the killing appeared in top story sections of the Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC websites.

Best Friends

Image courtesy: Janet McBarnes

Lindsy met her best friend on the beach when she was a teenager who didn't know the true meaning of love. His name was Tony.

The fun-loving pair was inseparable during their high school years in Michigan, until a major change in one of their lives forced a candid re-evaluation of their relationship.

"Looking back, it was more than a best friendship, but we didn't realize it until we graduated and he was going to go away," Lindsy told The Unknown Soldiers. "He was headed to boot camp."

Lindsy married her best friend, Sgt. Tony Matteoni, on July 19, 2008, with almost no money and absolutely no furniture. Their first apartment was filled with lawn chairs, boxes of Ramen noodles, and the air mattress they spent their entire marriage sleeping on.

"I couldn't do things like that with anyone but Tony," Lindsy said. "(It's) one of the fondest memories of my life: spending time with him and not being distracted."

When Sgt. Matteoni was ordered to report to North Carolina's Camp Lejeune, it was understood that his first combat deployment was almost certainly on the horizon.

"I was scared — naturally, I think," Lindsy recalled. "But the good thing about having been best friends for such a long time is that we knew it was going to work."

The day before Tony deployed to Afghanistan with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Lindsy, incredibly, found out she was expecting the couple's first child.

While at war, the Marine received ultrasound pictures and a DVD containing an audio track of their child's heartbeat. When he called home, Tony wanted only to discuss Lindsy and the bundle of joy they were expecting.

"He implied that he wasn't having a very good time (in Afghanistan), but he didn't want to dwell on it," Lindsy said, while also emphasizing that even while experiencing war, her husband never lost his sense of humor. "He'd call and want to joke around."

During a sleepless night in Afghanistan, Tony knew that half a world away, Lindsy was finding out if their baby was a boy or girl. After some coaxing from his fellow Marines, Tony woke up his first sergeant and asked to phone home.

"He was able to call for 90 seconds," she said. "He said 'Linds, what's the verdict?'"

It was a girl. Tony was floored.

"He said he'd be a good dad and she'd be daddy's girl," Lindsy said. "We said our 'I love yous' and I told him to be safe. He said 'Linds, you be safe.'"

It was Lindsy and Tony's last conversation. After wondering why she hadn't heard from her husband the next day for a more lengthy chat about their big news, military messengers arrived on Lindsy's doorstep.

"I saw the shadows of the Marines and their shapes," she painfully recounted. "I knew by the time I answered the door."

Sgt. Tony Matteoni, 22, was killed Oct. 1, 2010, in an accident that occurred while the Marine was supporting combat operations in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand Province.

"I remember thinking to myself, 'What do I do?'" she said. "I had been so happy."

As Michigan came together to honor the fallen Marine during solemn ceremonies in Union City, Kalamazoo, and Augusta, Lindsy thought about an emotional conversation she had with Tony before he left for Afghanistan.

"He picked me up and put me on his lap," she recalled. "He said 'Linds, don't worry if I die. Because if I die, I'll take your hand and we'll go to heaven together."

Inside a Michigan hospital at 2:04 a.m. on Feb. 24, Lindsy Matteoni, now a 22-year-old widow, met her new best friend. Her name is Avery Danielle.

Now six months old, daddy's little girl is the light of her mother's life.

"She is amazing, just like Tony," she said. "I wish he was here to see her. He would be so tickled that she looks just like him."

Sent down to Earth by her loving father, Avery is a permanent reminder of a Marine's ultimate sacrifice. When Lindsy and Tony meet again on the beaches of heaven, they will continue watching over a life they created during the pain of America's longest war.

COPYRIGHT 2011 CREATORS.COM

Image courtesy: Evelyn Vaughn Photography

Mettle of Honor

Images courtesy: U.S. Marine Corps

The definition of the word "mettle," according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is "vigor and strength of spirit or temperament." Sgt. Dakota Meyer, the first living Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for heroism displayed in Afghanistan, certainly measures up to that definition.

I was nervous while waiting on the phone to speak with Sgt. Meyer, 23, one month before President Obama would place the nation's highest military honor around his neck. I had never spoken to a Medal of Honor recipient before, and wasn't quite sure what to say.

It was then that I heard the sound of cows. That's because this bona fide hero and national treasure recently completed his service in the Marines and went back to Kentucky to work in the family concrete business and help out on a farm.

Meyer doesn't like being called a hero, but I believe he is one. On September 8, 2009, the Marine dragged three fallen Marines and a Navy hospital corpsman out of a horrific firefight on Afghanistan's volatile eastern front. These are the names of those four men, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

1st Lt. Michael Johnson, 25, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Staff Sgt. Aaron Kenefick, 30, Roswell, Georgia
Gunnery Sgt. Edwin Johnson Jr., 31, Columbus, Georgia
Petty Officer 3rd Class James Layton, 22, Riverbank, California

When I asked Meyer, who also saved 36 lives during the battle, what it meant to receive the Medal of Honor, his answer was simple and direct. He believes the award is for his fallen comrades, not him.

"It's all about them," the Marine said.

As I wrote in a piece for the USO, Meyer wears two bracelets with the engraved names of 1st Lt. Johnson, Staff Sgt. Kenefick, Gunnery Sgt. Johnson, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Layton. Every day, his wrists remind Meyer not only of his brothers in arms, but the loved ones they left behind.

"I talked to some of them the other day," said Meyer, who checks in as often as he can. "They’re doing alright."

To be candid, Meyer didn't have much more to say. The quiet Marine is the antithesis of self-absorbed; his humility is genuine and palpable. But when asked what his Medal of Honor from President Obama could mean to the country, the man who risked his life to save others and bring home the fallen spoke up.

"I hope to try to help people see how much the Marines help people," he said.

You have certainly done that, Sgt. Meyer. At this hour, the eyes of a grateful nation are on a man who showed the world his mettle under the most trying of circumstances. Thank you for your service and sacrifice, brave Marine.


Note: Please click here to a visit a special U.S. Marine Corps website honoring the heroism of Sgt. Dakota Meyer.

We Are Not Ashamed

Images courtesy: Tech Sgt. Josef Cole (Photos taken in Iraq, September 11, 2011)

As President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush hugged family members of 9/11 victims at Ground Zero, a New York Times columnist -- widely celebrated in most newsrooms I worked in -- posted a despicable blog entry about the ten difficult years our nation has experienced since the terrorist attacks.

Paul Krugman's blog post is headlined "The Years of Shame." While I will not link to the post and help the author accomplish his goal of exploiting a tragedy to gain readers, it is important to highlight how a columnist who is revered in many media circles has disgraced not only himself, but more importantly the thousands of men and women who have fought in defense of freedom since the 9/11 attacks. Krugman writes:

"What happened after 9/11 — and I think even people on the right know this, whether they admit it or not — was deeply shameful. The atrocity should have been a unifying event, but instead it became a wedge issue. Fake heroes like Bernie Kerik, Rudy Giuliani, and, yes, George W. Bush raced to cash in on the horror. And then the attack was used to justify an unrelated war the neocons wanted to fight, for all the wrong reasons."

This site does not exist to defend politicians. Elected officials are grown men and women who can defend their own decisions. This site does exist, however, to defend the honor of the brave troops who defend us. And to say what happened after 9/11 was "deeply shameful" is an absolute disgrace.

I am not ashamed of Johnny Micheal Spann, 32, a Marine who joined the CIA and later became the first American to lose his life during the war in Afghanistan.

I am not ashamed of Maj. Megan McClung, 34, the highest-ranking female Marine officer to make the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq, which Krugman calls an "unrelated war."

The fallacy of Iraq being "unrelated" to 9/11 is this: thousands of men and women who fought, suffered visible and invisible wounds, and died during this continuing conflict joined the military because of 9/11. That makes their sacrifices directly related to 9/11, whether one agrees with the decision to invade or not.

I am not ashamed of 1st Lt. Travis Manion, 26, a Marine who was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry displayed in Iraq, where he was killed. His best friend was Lt. Brendan Looney, 29, a Navy SEAL who later lost his life in Afghanistan. The former Naval Academy roommates are buried side-by-side at Arlington National Cemetery. I am not ashamed of Lt. Looney either.

I am not ashamed of Looney's fellow SEALs, who killed Osama bin Laden and helped take the first steps to ending America's longest war. While witnessing a stirring series of dignified transfer ceremonies with my own eyes, I was not ashamed of the 30 SEALs, soldiers, and airmen who lost their lives in a tragic Afghanistan helicopter crash just over three months after bin Laden met justice.

I am not ashamed of these valiant troops, who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan over the weekend:

Staff Sgt. Daniel Quintana, 30, Huntington Park, California
Staff Sgt. Keith Rudd, 36, Winder, Georgia
Pfc. Brett Wood, 19, Spencer, Indiana

I have no idea how any of the men and women in uniform mentioned above felt about the politics of the wars they fought or the Republican and Democratic presidents who ordered them to Afghanistan and Iraq. That's a testament to their selfless bravery and heroism. What mattered to them was defending their country, not playing cheap political games inside the Beltway or The New York Times newsroom. Krugman continues:

"A lot of other people behaved badly. How many of our professional pundits — people who should have understood very well what was happening — took the easy way out, turning a blind eye to the corruption and lending their support to the hijacking of the atrocity?"

Perhaps Krugman should speak to one of his fellow Times columnists, who on May 28, 2006, wrote an anti-military, anti-American column headlined "Don't Become Them." Seizing upon a premature witchhunt being drummed up by TIME magazine and several other mainstream media outlets, she convicted a group of Marines of murdering civilians in Haditha, Iraq. Before any court martials were held, she called the incident a "My Lai acid flashback," referencing one of the Vietnam War's most infamous tragedies.

More than five years later, criminal charges have been dismissed against six of the eight accused Marines, with a seventh being found not guilty. An eighth Marine is awaiting his court martial. So Krugman is right to say that people, including professional pundits, behaved badly. Dowd never apologized for using her column space to smear the reputations of Marines who volunteered to protect her privileged life.

In conclusion, Krugman writes:

"The memory of 9/11 has been irrevocably poisoned; it has become an occasion for shame. And in its heart, the nation knows it.

I’m not going to allow comments on this post, for obvious reasons."

In its heart, the nation knows that 9/11 is an occasion for remembrance, reflection, and deep national pride. Because throughout the course of history, no other nation has responded to a catastrophic, unprovoked attack targeting civilians with more dignity and honor. Every single man and woman who has fought for our country in Afghanistan and Iraq, including all the warriors mentioned above, volunteered to risk their lives in defense of the United States of America. For this, we are grateful.

As always, I am going to allow comments on this post, for obvious reasons.

The Mission Continues

Image courtesy: Master Sgt. Carrie Hinson (Photo taken in Afghanistan, September 11, 2011)

"My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." ~President John F. Kennedy

As we pay tribute to thousands of fine Americans who have fallen in defense of freedom over the past decade, the greatest fighting force in human history is on the verge of winning the war on terrorism.

On September 11, 2011, we remembered all the extraordinary sacrifices made to get us here. Today, the mission continues.

"We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free." ~President Ronald Reagan

'We Will Prevail'

Image courtesy: Maj. Robert Propst (Ret.), 1st Sgt. James Timney (Ret.), Jesse Jenkins, and Rand Palmer. (Photo taken in Afghanistan, September 11, 2011)

"9/11 tore my family apart," Lona Parten, the mother of two American soldiers, wrote me last night. Her oldest son, 1st Lt. Tyler Parten, was killed in Afghanistan on September 10, 2009. Her youngest son, 2nd Lt. Daniel Parten, is training for an upcoming deployment.

Receiving this Army mother's heartfelt message, on the second anniversary of her son's death, reminded me that the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is not a day to sugarcoat. For thousands of American families -- civilian and military -- 9/11 marks the moment their lives took a path that they never could have predicted.

A Saturday terrorist attack at eastern Afghanistan's Combat Outpost Sayed Abad, which NATO said injured 77 troops, all of whom are reportedly Americans, underscores how so many lives continue to be affected by 9/11 every day. While NATO said today that all the injured troops are expected to survive, the attack comes on the heels of the deadliest month of the entire war, which included the deaths of 30 U.S. troops in the same province, Wardak, in an August 6 helicopter crash.

For the rest of her life, this two-day stretch will be the most difficult of Lona Parten's year. She thinks about the ambush that killed her son on September 10, 2009, and the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, that led him to West Point, where he started his noble path of military service.

"His favorite quote was 'the only necessary thing for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing' (by) Edmund Burke," Parten e-mailed. "He stated because God blessed him with so many talents, it was his responsibility to use them for good."

While 1st Lt. Parten was a very special soldier, who especially loved bringing happiness and music to Afghan children, thousands of other U.S. troops joined because of 9/11. Some went to Afghanistan, some to Iraq, some to other bases around the world, and some stayed home. Some were killed, some were wounded or injured, some suffer from post-traumatic stress, and some emerged unscathed to become part of a growing community of veterans. All are our country's bravest.

Gen. John R. Allen, a Marine who now commands the war effort in Afghanistan, saluted these valiant men and women during a special 9/11 address recorded in the war zone.

"We will prevail," he said.



While running this blog, I have had the honor and privilege of corresponding with so many brave troops, veterans, and military families. The gratitude this blog and its readers have for these men and women, for their service and their willingness to share their stories with others, is infinite. Every single day, I am reminded of these heartfelt conversations, sometimes spurred by songs, voices, or dreams.

In the past week, the following American troops have died in defense of freedom. At this hour, their families are not only remembering 9/11, but coming to grips with shocking news of a loved one's tragic death in Afghanistan.

Petty Officer Brian Lundy, 25, Austin, Texas
Pfc. Christophe Marquis, 40, Tampa, Florida
Spc. Koran Contreras, 21, Lawndale, California
Pfc. Douglas Jeffries Jr., 20, Springville, California
Sgt. Bret Isenhower, 26, Lamar, Oklahoma
Spc. Christopher Horton, 26, Collinsville, Oklahoma
Pfc. Tony Potter Jr., 20, Okmulgee, Oklahoma

When I look at my little girl, I think of the children who are growing up without dads or moms because of the 9/11 terrorist attacks or the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In several instances, I have heard these children in the background as I talked on the phone with their lone surviving parent. Until the day I die, their voices will echo inside my mind, heart, and soul.

First Lt. Tyler Parten, who loved children so dearly, never got the chance to be a dad. He gave up his life so the children of others, in Afghanistan and here on the home front, could hopefully live their lives without the fear of bullets and bombs.

Raised by his mom, Lona, and his father, Dave, and loved so dearly by his brother, Daniel, and sister, Anna Laura, this brave 24-year-old man from Arkansas truly put God and country above himself. That's why in the image at the very top of this post, taken on September 11, 2011 in Afghanistan, the first flag on the left is displayed in Tyler's memory.

"For me 9/10 & 9/11 are intertwined," the soldier's grieving mother said. "My heart is so heavy today. So much sadness."

Lona Parten will never forget. Neither should we.

Image courtesy: Lona Parten

From left: 2nd Lt. Daniel Parten, Lona Parten, Anna Laura Parten, 1st Lt. Tyler Parten.

Ten Years Gone

Image courtesy: The White House

At Dover Air Force Base on Aug. 9, where President Barack Obama would soon arrive to meet privately with grieving relatives of 30 U.S. troops killed in an Afghanistan helicopter crash three days earlier, I thought of the private meeting President George W. Bush had with families of 9/11 victims on Sept. 14, 2001.

"I had just seen the debris of the towers. I knew it would be a miracle if anyone emerged," the former president wrote in Decision Points, his first book since leaving office. "Yet the families refused to give up hope. We prayed together and wept together."

When President Obama leaves office and presumably writes one or more books, I wonder if he will reveal what was going through his mind as he met with helicopter crash victims and saluted flag-draped caskets carrying the indistinguishable remains of 22 U.S. sailors, five soldiers, three airmen, and seven Afghan troops, which arrived together in an unprecedented series of dignified transfer ceremonies.

The day's solemn, emotionally devastating events were closed to the media. I was not in Dover, Del., as a columnist; I was there helping USO staff and volunteers comfort relatives as they witnessed the heartbreaking return of their loved ones to American soil. Out of respect for the privacy of these grieving families, I will not write about what I saw.

However, as someone who witnessed 8/9/11 up close, I believe it was one of the most important days for our country since 9/11/01. As we remember the tenth anniversary of the deadliest terrorist assault in U.S. history and guard against another attack, we must also guard against forgetting the men and women who protect our homeland from further bloodshed.

A photo taken during the Aug. 19 Rockford, Iowa, funeral of Special Operator Petty Officer 1st Class J.T. Tumilson, one of the 17 Navy SEALs killed in the helicopter crash, is one of the most iconic images of a nation at war since the famous photograph of New York firefighters raising the American flag at Ground Zero.

Image courtesy: Lisa Pembleton

Lisa Pembleton's picture shows Tumilson's dog, Hawkeye, lying in front of the SEAL's flag-draped casket, refusing to leave its owner in the hours before his burial. The crushing image not only visualizes the far-reaching impact of a service member's death, even on an adored pet, but also reminds us that a U.S. military dog died in the tragic helicopter crash, which is the deadliest single incident for our troops during the entire war in Afghanistan.

A sentence uttered by a friend at the SEAL's memorial service, as reported by The Des Moines Register, also resonates as we reflect on the sacrifices made by our military since terrorists murdered thousands of Americans in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

"If J.T. had known he was going to be shot down when going to the aid of others, he would have went anyway," Boe Nankivel said.

While I spent several hours near President Obama and other dignitaries on Aug. 9, I felt most nervous while in the presence of uniformed troops who came from great distances to salute their fallen brothers. While these men and women don't win elections or take home paychecks comparable to actors, musicians, or sports figures, they are our nation's true celebrities.

During an encounter with the mother of Port Authority police officer George Howard three days after he died while trying to save innocent people inside the World Trade Center, she gave the fallen hero's badge to President Bush.

"I served 2,865 days as president after Arlene gave me that badge," the 43rd president wrote. "I kept it with me every one of them."

Because of the sacrifices of the men and women who keep us safe, we have the freedom to criticize any president. Yet in my mind, one thing is certain about President Obama. I don't believe he will ever forget what he saw three days after 30 Americans paid the ultimate price in Afghanistan.

Still, Aug. 9 in Dover was not about politics. It was about honoring heroes who died in defense of their countries. As we look back on 9/11/01, the moving events of 8/9/11 serve as a reminder of the incalculable sacrifices made since.

COPYRIGHT 2011 CREATORS.COM

Image courtesy: The White House

We Are the Champions

Image courtesy: Timothy Hale

I've paid my dues
Time after time
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime
And bad mistakes
I've made a few
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I've come through

Few in the English-speaking world are unfamiliar with Queen's rock anthem "We Are the Champions," written by Freddie Mercury in 1977. During a recent listen, the song reminded me that despite all the divisions over controversial issues in this country over the past ten years, one segment of our population has remained fully united, treating every day like it's September 12, 2001.

The men and women of the United States military are not perfect. Nobody is. They also never asked for the global conflict that was thrust upon them ten years ago, but they were ready. These volunteer warriors were ordered to fight by two presidents, and in almost every case, have done so with the utmost honor and respect for the flag they defend.

Since thousands of citizens of America and the world were murdered in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania ten years ago, nobody has done more to preserve freedom than the U.S. military. After a decade of war, it is important to laud their achievements, but also recognize the hellish nature of combat. War is more ugly, painful, and tragic than a civilian like me, who has never been brave enough to put my life on the line, can possibly imagine.

During nearly ten years of battle in Afghanistan and more than seven in Iraq, there have been victories, setbacks, triumphs, and tragedies. Thousands of fine men and women have been killed or wounded. Many combat veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. Some military families have been torn apart. Innocent civilians have been killed and wounded, mostly by terrorist cowards who bury bombs inside villages and beneath roadways. And as we were reminded in the tragic case of Cpl. Pat Tillman, who left a high-paying NFL career to serve our country, some of our brave troops are tragically killed or injured by friendly fire.

But it's been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
And I ain't gonna lose

Despite all the pain endured by our troops around the world, including being apart from their spouses, children, parents, siblings, and friends for years at a time, the U.S. military has remained unified in its focus toward complete victory. This fighting spirit was showcased to the world during the tense evening hours of Sunday, May 1, as millions waited to hear President Obama announce that Osama bin Laden had been brought to justice by The Boys of Abbottabad. It was our nation's finest hour since the heroism we witnessed from firefighters, police officers, rescue workers, troops, and ordinary citizens on the morning of 9/11.

We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting
Till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions

America and its allies are champions of freedom because of men and women willing to risk their lives for our values and ideals. Even amid a new terror threat at this very hour, planes are still flying, trains are still running, crowds at sporting events and concerts are still cheering, streets are still bustling, and families are still loving. Al Qaeda and its terrorist allies, while still a serious threat, have already lost this global conflict, because even during the darkest of hours, they were unable to break the will of the innocent people they attacked.

Tonight in Afghanistan, American troops keep watchful eyes from mountains, deserts, and remote combat outposts. In Iraq, the mission continues, even as the vast majority of U.S. service members prepare to come home. In airports and inside military bases around the world, men and women in uniform are missing their families, while remembering where they were when freedom was attacked ten years ago.

In cities around the country this weekend, 9/11 Heroes Runs will be held by The Travis Manion Foundation. Before deploying to Iraq, where he would later be killed in action, someone asked 1st Lt. Travis Manion why he was going back overseas for another combat tour. His response was simple: "If not me, then who?"

Because of that selfless spirit, which was shared by the Marine's best friend, Lt. Brendan Looney, a Navy SEAL who is buried beside Manion at Arlington National Cemetery, we are the champions of the world.

Thank you to every man and woman who has worn a military uniform and defended our country, before and after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. To you, we owe everything.

Always and Forever

Images courtesy: Crissie Carpenter

As we salute 9/11 victims and their families as the tenth anniversary of the terrorist atrocity nears, it is important to also remember the enormous sacrifices of the troops and military families who answered that day's powerful call to service. Lance Cpl. Andrew Carpenter and his widow, Crissie, are two Americans who I firmly regard as post-9/11 heroes.

If you didn't get a chance to read the Carpenters' story, see this photo of their infant son, or watch a speech delivered at the National Press Club about their emotional saga, this week of remembrance might be a good time to become familiar.

After her husband was shot by an enemy sniper on Valentine's Day in Afghanistan and hospitalized in Germany, Crissie Carpenter had to say goodbye to the love of her life by phone from Tennessee while eight months pregnant. Less than a month after her husband's death and just over two weeks after a stirring memorial service in Tennessee, Crissie gave birth to Landon Paul Carpenter. A hospital nurse gave Landon a onesie that read "Born Free...'Cause My Daddy Fought For Me."

I'm bringing up this important story again for two reasons. The first is to point out that every American baby born since September 11, 2001, has entered a land of freedom, which didn't happen by accident. In the gripping days after 9/11, we all worried -- and still worry -- about a nuclear device being detonated by terrorists in an American city, causing chaos and an end to life as we know it. By bravely taking the fight to America's enemies over the past ten years, as the world witnessed when Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden, freedom has been preserved.

The second reason I wanted to remind everyone of Lance Cpl. Carpenter's ultimate sacrifice is to demonstrate the similarities between the way Columbia, Tennessee, united behind the Carpenter family and how the country came together after the 9/11 attacks.

The funeral procession I was a part of after the Marine's memorial service was one of the most patriotic, unifying events I've ever experienced. In the days following her husband's death up to this very moment, relatives, friends, and total strangers have asked Crissie what they can do to help her and Landon. "Landon's Fund," which anyone can contribute to, was quickly set up by Regions Bank in Tennessee, and will help the child as he grows up.

The love and support Crissie has been showered with as she raises an infant son amid the pain of sudden loss shows that the American spirit we all witnessed in the days after 9/11 is still alive. Even though the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq no longer fill our TV and computer screens on a daily basis, we must continue to unite behind families of our fallen troops, as well as families who watched in horror as their loved ones were murdered by terrorists on September 11, 2001.

"Our love grows...Always and Forever" is engraved on Lance Cpl. Andrew Carpenter's headstone. A decade after the worst terrorist attack in American history, our love for the men and women who protect us grows too.

Sheep and Wolves

Images courtesy: Sgt. Seth Barham

When I saw the above photo of two Army automated field artillery tactical data systems specialists herding sheep out of harm's way in Afghanistan's Herat province on August 23, I thought of a famous Bible verse: Matthew 10:16.

Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.

When applying that passage to the longest war in American history, my first instinct is to assign the label of "sheep" to cowardly enemies who hide in caves and "wolves" to valiant American troops who hunt them down in the day's unrelenting heat or the night's uncertain darkness. Yet the second half of the passage, which the Bible quotes Jesus as speaking to his apostles, spurred a reevaluation.

Since September 1, the Department of Defense has identified five more fallen U.S. soldiers from the war in Afghanistan, who died between August 25 and September 3. Articles in their hometown newspapers reveal a great deal about the strong character of American warriors who risk their lives for our freedom.

Sgt. Devin Daniels, 22, Kuna, Idaho

An article by Kathleen Kreller in The Idaho Statesman contains a moving passage from a statement released by the fallen soldier's family.

"Devin was our family’s pride and joy. Growing up, he was a wonderful young man who was a good student, good athlete and who was never in trouble. He lived by his motto, 'winners never quit and quitters never win.’"

Sgt. Colby Richmond, 28, Providence, North Carolina

Killed alongside Sgt. Daniels when terrorists attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device on August 25 in Helmand province, Sgt. Richmond, like his fallen brother in arms, had been deployed to Afghanistan for about a year. An article by Drew Brooks in The Fayetteville Observer, which is kind enough to run my weekly Creators Syndicate column, contains a quote from Col. Christopher Sharpsten, commander of the 82nd Sustainment Brigade.

"Cpl. Colby Richmond and Cpl. Devin Daniels were two great Americans serving the hallowed calling as a soldier for our nation," Col. Sharpsten said. "Every day, they traveled the most dangerous roads in this world. They knew the dangers and bravely performed their duty. It was a tragic loss, and our most heartfelt condolences go out to their families."

Pfc. Alberto Obod Jr., 26, Orlando, Florida

According to an article by Jeff Weiner in The Orlando Sentinel, Pfc. Obod proudly took the oath as an American citizen in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

"That was a very proud day for him and for us," the soldier's stepfather, John Restino, told the paper.

The soldier died less than six months later while serving his new country. The Pentagon said Obod was tragically killed in an August 28 vehicle roll-over.

Spc. Dennis James Jr., 21, Deltona, Florida

An article by the same Orlando Sentinel reporter, who is doing a fine job covering these tragic stories, chronicles the life of Spc. James, who was killed three days after Pfc. Obod in a Wardak Province IED attack. The ambitious soldier, who was awarded a Bronze Star, loved the Army, basketball, and American cars.

"You couldn't tell him that he wasn't the big dog of the group," his aunt, Rhonda Williams, told the newspaper. "When he wasn't driving to the hoop, he was working on his car — "the Dodge Magnum with the big wheels."

Spc. Christopher Scott, 21, Tyrone, New York

After August, the deadliest month of the war in Afghanistan, came to its sad conclusion, Spc. Scott is the first announced casualty of September in Afghanistan. An article by Jon Hand in The Democrat and Chronicle reveals the crushing circumstances of the soldier's tragic death. He was supposed to come home for his wedding later this month.

"He was due to be home in 12 days," family friend Amy Francione told the newspaper. "The community is just in shock, and I know it's terrible to say but — Why here? Why here? Why Chris? He just left."

These five brave soldiers sacrificed more than most can comprehend in a mysterious, faraway land. They were valiant men who carefully hunted the enemy and shielded the Afghan people while leading them down a long, difficult path to peace.

While trained to kill, our troops did not go to Afghanistan on a bloodthirsty conquest for land or treasure. Instead, Americans went there to protect the innocent, both at home and abroad, from predators stalking innocent men, women, and children with bullets and bombs.

On Sunday, September 11, our nation will remember why the war in Afghanistan started. Today and every day, let's remember to thank the men and women who have taken the 21st century's greatest challenge upon themselves. In a dangerous world full of vicious wolves, it is sheep -- shrewd as serpents and simple as doves -- that may be civilization's best hope.

A Loss to Bear

Images courtesy: Staff Sgt. Kim Pate

Upon learning that her husband had been killed in Afghanistan, Air Force Staff Sgt. Kim Pate needed to retrieve one treasured memento from her barracks in Kuwait before flying to Germany to meet her husband's flag-draped casket.

"The first thing I had to grab was a glow-in-the-dark Care Bear named Chisel," Staff Sgt. Pate told The Unknown Soldiers. "He's a wish bear — he glows in the dark, and he's supposed to protect me and keep me company whenever my husband's not there."

Kim, 26, is an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician — just like her husband, Marine Gunnery Sgt. EJ Pate, who was 29 years old when he was killed. The pressure-packed job involves some of the most dangerous assignments in post-9/11 war zones, which are filled with deadly improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by terrorists.

Kim's heart was filled with anxiety after fellow troops informed her of EJ's tragic June 26 death in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand Province. Yet, arriving in Germany with Chisel, which got its name when Kim "chiseled away the ice and walls" from EJ's heart as they fell in love, brought an unexpected sense of relief to the grieving airman.

"Knowing I was with him on every step of the journey — the memorial in South Carolina, his last motorcycle ride, his burial at Arlington — it was a wonderful feeling," she explained. "I wish every (fallen hero's spouse) was lucky enough to be able to do that."

EJ and Kim married in the fall of 2006 after meeting about a year earlier. During their courtship and throughout their marriage, the airman was drawn to the Marine's ability to smile while doing a very tough job.

"He just had an infectious personality and was fun to be around, even if he was having a bad day," Kim said.

Kim, who was trained by EJ before her own overseas deployments, always kept in close contact with her husband as he faced danger during an incredible seven combat deployments.

"The other guys can tell their wives that everything's fine," she said. "But I know what he does."

Despite the risks, EJ loved his job, and even after losing her husband, Kim still loves hers. She attributes her positive outlook, even in the wake of incomprehensible tragedy, to EJ's undying optimism.

"He brought out the best in people and in any situation," Kim explained. "He made me a better person...a person that I will strive to continue to be for him."

The fellow Marines and EOD technicians who served with EJ feel the same way.

"Hearing the stories from other guys — he truly was one of the best," she said. "He was always ten steps ahead of whatever the problem was."

Despite their talent and expertise, the Pates knew that one or both of them could easily be killed on the battlefield. It's the nature of a job that only a handful of valiant Americans are capable of doing.

"It might be kind of an eerie feeling to know walking up on an IED that it was the last thing my husband did, and I could die doing the same thing," the brave airman said. "But I feel drawn over there. It's a hard thing to explain; we have a constant pull over there as it is, and it's kind of amplified now."

Before Kim goes to sleep at night in Kinston, N.C., she kisses her two stepchildren and looks at the wish bear that has accompanied her everywhere, including on her husband's final journey.

"No matter where I am, from Iraq to training sites, there's not a night I don't have him," she said.

While thinking back to their final conversation, Staff Sgt. Kim Pate said there will never be a night when the memory of Gunnery Sgt. EJ Pate isn't with her too.

"One of the last things I heard from him was that he was really tired and had a long day out," the Marine's widow said. "But he wanted me to know that he was thinking of me and carries me with him everywhere he goes."

"I never believed in soul mates until I met him," she concluded. "He was and will always be mine."

COPYRIGHT 2011 CREATORS.COM