If you google the articles about the crash, you'll read all about how incredible these four men were. How their families, while proud of their service, already miss them terribly. You'll read their wives being quoted saying they were loyal soldiers, but even more loyal dads, husbands, sons, and brothers. You'll read about the memorial service held Tuesday, where heads of state joined in honoring these four men and how they were recognized as honorable soldiers who died doing what they loved... protecting their country. Saving lives. Giving others a second chance.
But you won't read too much about the amazing families these men left behind. You won't read about the incredible wives like Marlo, who tonight told me to hug my husband every day, because I'd never know when it'd be the last. You won't read about the kids who stand proud for their fallen fathers, ready for receiving lines hundreds of people long, putting a smile ahead of their pain, or the kids not even old enough to stand. Instead being held by an aunt or cousin. You won't see articles about the parents who had to bury the sons they never expected to outlive. These are the people we need to remember. Not just the guys who are gone. But the ones they left behind.
In my last post, there was a picture of the MAFFS 7 plane the day it left. The last taxi out of Charlotte. Yesterday, they made their final taxi home. Starting tomorrow, they will be laid to rest. One by one.
May they all rest in peace.
