I, like many veterans and soldiers, am a bit of a military history buff and have often times found myself mystified by some of the things soldiers have said and done throughout many times of conflict. I remember seeing the tombstones of Normandy and the inscription carved on the markers of the British soldiers. "So that others might live", it was paraphrased from "He died, so that others might live". Of course it's applied to all those men that fought and died to liberate Europe and more importantly, for each other. I also recall the Vietnam veterans talking about when men were wounded, they were never seen or heard again and their buddies just hoped the best for them. I think I understand alot more now than I ever would have watching the "History channel".

Some time back we lost one of our brothers and I wish I could tell you his name and exactly how he died, I can't. But I can tell you that he died doing his duty, and his duty was to ensure the safety of the men of O'Ryan. I can tell you that most of us at one time or another saw this man doing just that but never really gave it a thought, he had his duty we have ours. I can tell you that he performed his duty each and every day and the risk was, and still is, always there. He went quickly and did not suffer, I will never forget this mans name although I can not share it with you.

One of the odd things that happend that day was how we all reacted to the news. We were very angry and still do not understand why people are trying to kill such good men. I also remember that in only a very short time we, as a whole , were back to business as usual. I really don't know what to make of it and can't say whether this is good or bad, it just is. Perhaps it's a collective defense mechanizm that keeps us doing our duty, maybe we just can't focus on the suddeness of death here and it will catch up with us down the road. Or maybe it's just doing what professional soldiers are supposed to do, I don't have the answer.

When we hear that someone has been killed and we are about to go do the exact same thing they were killed doing I usually get a little sick feeling and ask myself "Is today the day?". But we take just a moment to pause, perhaps pray, and get back to doing our duty. Just one more thing I will never take for granted again is the saying "He died so that others might live".

We have also had the wounded leave us. I recall one soldier I saw each and everyday and find to be a very amiable person, the typical American soldier, young and full of promise and life. We had just come in from patrolling our sector and a vechicle pulled up with a senior Officer and he told us to "Come lend a hand we've got weapons and ammo here". We then found out that one of our patrol elements had been attacked and we had several wounded but everyone would be OK. that was a huge relief. One of the men had facial wounds and, as it turns out, was back in his Gunner posistion within forty-eight hours bandages and all. The young man I'm refering to was on his way to Germany and then home for physical therapy and rehabilitation. We have been told he may not come back at all, I hope he doesn't. And yet I will never get the chance to wish him well and thank him for what he has done, he was actually filling in for someone on vacation, there it is again "luck and timing".

Everyday these guys get up and leave the wire never really sure if they'll be back. And they do so without giving it a second thought. I can only hope that we don't take too much of this back home and it stays where it belongs, a distant memory.