Final Salute

[Bioscache2]

I debated back and forth about putting this here or another more commonly accessed forum so mods its up to you if you want to move it.

http://denver.rockymountainnews.com/news/finalSalute/

[6 Shooter]

May God Bless our Soldiers and their families.

:pat

[Mac]

One of my least favorite duties is next-of-kin notification. :(

-Mac

[Bioscache2]

I hope I never have to bear that burden but unfortunately theres not much of a guarantee. I thought one of the most important aspects of that piece is that it reminds us that soldiers' deaths are not just some statistic we hear in the news. Each one means worlds turned upside down and changed forever.

[Zblast]

All gave some, some gave all. May God bless each and every one of them. Thank you to all our military, living and dead.

[Mac]

I hope I never have to bear that burden but unfortunately theres not much of a guarantee.
I always treated each situation as if I were dealing with my own family. I could think of no better way but it does tend to have an impact. Notifications isn't of the things they teach or even mention in the academy (if such a thing could be taught).

One of the saddest ones I ever dealt with was the family of a drug addict who died of an overdose. Basically they thanked me and said they'd been waiting for years to get this news. The guy had used and abused his family until they kicked him out permanently and cut off all communication with him. They didn't want to know anything about his situation, just where the body was so they could finally bury him. I cannot imagine the sorrow of a parent in a situation like this.

Sorry for the hijack.

-Mac

[UB2 SLOW]

Having been assigned as a CACO, I cannot put into words what the experience is like. Its truly like you are saying goodbye to a friend and brother even though you have never met them.

[Mac]

Having been assigned as a CACO, I cannot put into words what the experience is like. Its truly like you are saying goodbye to a friend and brother even though you have never met them.
I hear that... While I'm thinking of it, Merry Christmas, Bryan!!

-Mac

[UB2 SLOW]

I hear that... While I'm thinking of it, Merry Christmas, Bryan!!

-Mac



Thanks Mac and Merry Christmas to you to. I am finally taking a break from College until the spring. Hopefully I can spend more time here until then.

[SPANISHVETTS]

I have had to write many letters of consolation but the only time I delivered the message in person it was to the father of a young Marine who was killed in a training accident.

The Father was a D-Day Veteran, (Corp of Engineers), his wife had passed away before and the boy who had been killed was an only son.

Seeing a Man’s entire life die in a matter of seconds had a lifelong effect on me. Damn I am crying as I type this.

It is important to remember that every life lost in the service of our Country is equally valuable, whither they are lost in battle or in a peace time accident they were serving Our Country so that those of us in the Civilian sector could enjoy a peaceful life.



:pat

[THORIN]

Thank you.