Heros

“Good men must die, but death can not kill their names.”

           - Anonymous Proverb

     Our battalion suffered terrible blows this past week, leaving me vainly grasping for words to describe the magnitude of our loss. In a handful of days we lost four great men, COL William Wood, CPT Michael Mackinnon, CPT Ray Hill, and SPC Shakere Guy. When I chronicle the ebb and flow of our days here in Iraq the words usually tumble out on their own accord, flowing from some burbling spring buried deep in my heart. But that spring lies dormant, and the words that do appear seem little more then an echo of the clear, and perfect memory I have of these great and noble men. I will never be able to express the cauldron of fire we pass through each and every day, and because I can’t even give real insight into our reality I fear that anything I might say about our fallen heroes will be an injustice to their memory. I will do my best to snatch my thoughts from the ether, but I know I will fail. To understand just how deep our loss really is you would have to know these beautiful, noble men yourself. And that won’t happen in this lifetime.

     COL Wood was the commander of the Nightstalkers. He was a man who’s stern features seemed chiseled out of granite, but his strength and conviction eclipsed even that adamantine material. He was a man who led from the front, never asking his soldiers to carry out an action he wasn’t willing to perform himself. His steady hand and firm conviction guided the battalion, and his wisdom and far sight were unparalleled.

     CPT Michael Mackinnon was my company commander, and my dear friend. Mike was a man of enormous talent - he could have done anything he wanted to in this world. But Mike didn’t seek money or fame. He wanted to serve his nation with valor, courage and distinction... and he did that better then any man I have known.  Mike was our leader, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of every soldier in his command. I was honored to serve as his deputy, and blessed to be able to call him my friend.

CPT Ray Hill was an artilleryman by trade, looking back it seems almost ironic that a man with such an enormous love for his fellow man was responsible for the largest cannons in the battalion. I have known Ray for over five years, and I can’t remember ever seeing him without a broad grin on his face. The Iraqi people couldn’t have hoped to find a truer friend then CPT Hill. He believed in the intrinsic worth of the individual and deeply cared about the welfare of the Iraqis. He never ventured outside the wire without a bevy of presents and candy for the local children.

     SPC Shakere Guy didn’t have to come on this deployment – he volunteered to deploy with our battalion because he had the heart of a lion. SPC Guy was a Jamaican immigrant, but he personified all that is great about America. He was a M1 Abrams crewman, but he willingly gave up his beloved tank in order to deploy with our battalion. His heart never strayed from those armored giants and he spoke of them often, but he was as able an infantryman as you could ever hope to meet.  SPC Guy had a ferocious appetite for learning, and his razor sharp mind and natural ability ensured he mastered whatever skill he set his mind to.

     In the face of so stunning a loss it is natural for the soul to grow weary, and for the mind to wail for that which has been so violently ripped away. It would be the easiest of things to let my heart turn as cold as death and let it pump my veins with frigid and poisonous ice. But that would dishonor the memory of our fallen, and would be an unfitting tribute to men who had given the last full measure of devotion. Instead I will do something far more difficult; I will continue onward and complete our unfinished work. There will come a day when I will weep bitter tears for my fallen comrades and friends, but right now there is much to be done. And it is up to those of us who knew these wonderful men to see it through to the end.

 

Comments

[Jim]

God bless the Nightstalkers!!

[Weaser]

Danjel, I can't tell you how many times I've come back and read this, cried, and tried to write something that may comfort you, the families, and the friends of these brave men who have sacrificed their life for our country and for the hope of freedom for the Iraqi people. It simply breaks my heart. My family and friends continue to pray for them and for the safety of all of you still there.

[Eileen]

So much loss. I am thinking about you and hoping you find strength to carry on.

[Suellen]

What can I say to offer comfort to you who carry such a heavy burden? whatever, it would be inadequate. Just know that you are and will remain in our prayers. Take your time to grieve, then go get the bast@*#$ who did this.

[MBDonaldson]

Thunder 6 . . . You are in our prayers and thoughts. I am praying you have the wisdom and insight you need to lead and guide those around you. Thunder 6 . . . your heart, the inner man, is like gold. Don't ever let your heart become tarnished. You are a great warrior!

[devildog6771]

As the days went by with no comments, my stomach got tihjter and tighter. I knew what was coming. I am so very sorry for the loss of your fellow soldiers. May God give his grace to their families and friends. May he also help you and those who knew them through this most trying of times. Thank you sounds so very empty, but it is all I am able to offer right now. May God look out for the rest of you and may His warmth now embrace oyur fallen brothers and our fallen sons.

[Sean]

Oh man, that's horrible! I'm sorry to hear that, I don't even want to imagine what you're going through right now, hang in there, each day you're closer to being home.

[CJ]

T6--My heart hurts for you, and your fellow soldiers. I wish I had words to say to ease the ache in your heart for the loss of your brothers. I don't. But I can say Thank You and I love you all. You are right in saying that the way to honor them is to keep on and not grow bitter and hard. God give you strength and courage that is beyond yourself. And when the time is right, may He give you tears. You will be in my prayers continuously. Angel hugs.

[Chevy Rose]

It's all been said many times, but one more time, God bless them, their families, and all you that remain. Press on.

[Anna]

Prayers to you all. I linked to your post hoping that more people will know just what our soldiers are made of. Thank you! Thank God for you!

[Beth Powers-Lamm]

"Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrafice." These words are engraved on a wall at the World War II Monument. They were written by President Harry Truman and ring as true today as they did 60 years ago.

[Weaser]

Tears, sadness, and gratitude for our fallen heroes. And many many prayers for them and for you and your comrades.

[Maggie45]

I am so sorry. I read of this on Rusten's blog last night. I have no words, except to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for what you are doing. That goes for your families also. You men and women are in my prayers constantly. God bless you.

[1charlie2]

There are no magic words for this time, so I will say only that you have my deepest sympathies. Godspeed to the fallen, and may He watch over you and your comrades. And despite the pain of the moment, try not to give in to despair. Never lose sight that what all of you have done, and are doing, to make our nation safe and another nation free. You make me proud to be American.

[Robin Radlein]

I send you my prayers and sympathy and my fervent hope that those of us safely here at home continue to work to be worthy of the sacrifices of those willing to give everything for freedom and their country.

[Navigator]

May God shine his light upon your colleagues, and guide you with the wisdom to finish your mission. You are all in my prayer network. Stay safe Dan.

[Anne]

Words are so inadequate now. I am so very sorry that those four good men were lost. Please know that I am concerned for you. Peace Anne in NM

[Edward]

Danjel, We live in safety because men like Col Wood, CPT Mackinnon, Cpt Hill and SPC Guy and the rest of the Nightstalkers place themselves in jeapordy for us. They are part of a long line of fallen heros who have given us our freedom by giving up all they have. You will be a leader worthy of their memory, and well deserve the trust your men will have in you.

[Monique]

My husband is also in Iraq and they lost seven marines last week, including a friend of his. You are all in my prayers...

[Pamela aka"Atlas"]

Danjel, I have been weeping upon receiving your email. G-d bless you, your men, your heart, soul, devotion. I am sorry, so very sorry, for your loss, our loss and the loss their------- beloved family members. What can one say? How deeply proud I am that you are part of me, my family, my country. Know we are praying for you. Good will triumph. I am with you. America stands with you. G-d love you and your company, Pmela

[Carol]

Ok, tonight at 6pm GMT I lit 4 candles at the Carmelite monastery across the road from where I live, built on Sir Isaac Newton's garden in Kensington London. For each guy I read the name on my sheet and then said his name in my head. I like to think that here, and all over the world their ultimate sacrifice is acknowledged with love and humility. Said a prayer too. Cool guys, today representing all the other heros. Sorry because it's so little but heartfelt anyway.

[Chris]

I am very sorry to hear this news. I had read of Col. Wood via a few MSM sites. Thank you for sharing something about each of these heroes.

[Beth Powers-Lamm]

Each time you write about your fallen friends I grow more and more convinced that America's best men and women are serving in her military. You and your men volunteer to put your lives on the line in the service of others. You have delivered freedom to millions of Iraqis. You bring hope to their children. You stand shoulder to shoulder with "The Greatest Generation".

[Dee]

My heart breaks for the loss of your fellow heroes, and for the families they have left behind. Please know you are all in our daily prayers, and that this nation loves and respects you, your fellow soldiers and those who have fallen. A tragic loss to our nation.

[SPC Richardson]

There are no words.....