There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about what happend on Sept 04. When we talk the names of the fallen come up in conversation associated with warm, or funny memories. Shortly after that happend on the Sept 04, a couple soldiers, from the platoon and company got together and made a couple of songs that conveyed the loss and the pain that we all felt on that day. We instantly put together a slide show of all the pictures that we had of them so that there faces would never fade from memory. A few of us were chosen to deliver the Eulogies for the fallen at the memorial service held for them here. I was chosen to talk about SGT Joel Murray. I don't think that any words, or my feeble command of the english language could do any justice to the caliber of man that Joel was. Soldiering is different from any other profession in the world, especially being the Infantry and deployed to the combat zone. You live and eat with the same people day in and day out for months on end. Your down time is spent talking about everything from home, and family, to how many times you've masturbated in the last ten minutes. Nothing is taboo, and you know everything about that man to your left and your right. You know that he would die for you and you for him. When tragedy strikes its like losing a family member. You wonder how their family is doing and how that persons children are going to grow up not knowing their parent. I just want everyone to know how extraordinary these men were, and how great they are, brave, bold, fearless, are only a couple of adjectives used to describe them because I could honestly sit at this computer and go on for hours.
On that very day 2 soldiers in that truck lives were also changed forever. Joseph Mixson a strapping 6 foot man lost both of his legs. Some of the guys have talked to him and I try to see whats going on with him through his myspace, he sent us a video and he sounds very up beat, but thats him, when he was here with us he is so uplifting to be around, full of life and energy, and truly an honor to know him.
Duncan Crookston, suffered burns over 80% of his body and was a triple amputee. Some of the guys have had an opportunity to talk to his wife, and she had said that he was doing better than expected. From the get go they told us that he wasn't going to make it, but he is strong and he is still with us. He is a very smart young man, who god has a plan for. We are all pulling for you Duncan and we can't wait for the opportunity to be able to talk to you.
We miss you both so much but, we thank god that you guys are alive and safe at home with your families.
The events that happened on that day are very surreal. The sights, the sounds, the smell. Not a Soldier that got out of their vehicle that day had as much regard for his own life as he did for those who were still trapped in the truck, which was on fire. SSG Ume was the first to the scene with SPC Serrano hot on as heels pulling security for him, Ume ran around frantically pulling the men he could get to out of the truck which was burning wildly and had gotten hot enough to 'cook off' rounds. My truck arrived on the scene and I didn't even have to tell my team leaders what to do, they immidiatly tried to fight the fire with fire extinguishers, and fire blankets. We set up a casualtie collection point using the safe side of my vehicle and began to move the guys away from the burning truck to that safe side. Bullets were going off do to the extreme heat of the blaze and you could hear them bouncing off the concrete, and my truck and zipping by. No one stopped to think of their own safety but more so to get those that needed us, out of harms way. Our medic was cool and collected and did what he could for who he could. We then put the casualties in the trucks and sped them to the nearest FOB. Elements from our 1st Platoon, the BC's PSD, and Bravo Company had been near by and came to assist us.
One day I might go more in depth with details, but for now its for only us and the families to know.
Hughes our FO put together a slide show for me along with the song he and his guys wrote. If you would like to check out more of his music check out http://www.myspace.com/jkansas43.
Heres a little slide show Memorial Tribute. We love U All!
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