Day 103

Three days ago, four lives were lost that I did not know, but knew immediately after they had passed as the command where we have our office is the parent command of all four. Today, my day was simply busy and not much to talk about. I just played catch-up all day from being out of the office for a few days. Instead, I'd like to honor those fallen soldiers..at least 3 of them. I don't know the identity of the soldier who took his own life.

Tonight after I returned to my room, the movie Taking Chance was on. If you haven't seen it, go find it and watch it. It stars Kevin Bacon and tells the true story of a Marine officer who escorted a fallen Marine home after being killed in Iraq in 2004. I have seen it no less than 5 times and am deeply moved every single time I see it. After seeing it again tonight, I just feel like I want to honor these three fallen comrades. Below is a photo of Sgt Edward Koehler being carried off of the C-17 that arrived at Dover Air Force Base yesterday. Their journey home started at my home base here in Oz.  Here is the full story in the local newspaper from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Sgt Edward Koehler, 47, of Georgia but originally from Pennsylvania. Father of two children and one stepdaughter. RIP and Semper Fi!

Sgt Brian Mowery, 49, and father of four. He had just returned back to Afghanistan after enjoying R&R leave back home earlier this month.

Staff Sgt. Kenneth VanGiesen, 30, from Erie, PA.

Again, please take a moment to read the article here to read more about these heroes. They are real people...National Guard folks who have civilian jobs and put that and their families aside to go serve their country. Please take a moment to honor them and remember them. Even better, think of them as you fly Old Glory at your house and the sacrifice they made to keep her flying.

Next week, we will be having a memorial service here to honor these men.

Goodnight, everyone.