Memorial Day, 2013

I had been meaning to go to Ambassador Chris Stevens' gravesite to pay my respects for some time now. Today was the day when it seemed the most fitting. I went there for several reasons.. but the biggest reason was for Glen Doherty and Ty Woods, the men who ran to the sound of gunfire to help Americans who were in trouble. I say this not to diminish the work and lives of  Chris Stevens or Sean Smith, by any means. But being a first responder I relate to Glen and Ty, and that grave is the closest thing to a memorial for them I could get to.

I stayed there for a while, and I said a prayer for all four of them. I left a small token of my visit. But I also apologized, as an American, for letting them down. I know... I wasn't there, I wasn't in the chain of command, there was nothing at all I could have done a half a world away that would have made any difference in the events at Benghazi that terrible night. But as an American, and as a first responder, Benghazi haunts me, and breaks my heart. It's not what we do, leaving our brothers unaided and alone, to die at the hand of the enemy. Glen and Ty answered the call. Why didn't we answer their call?

Today there were a lot of American flags next to Ambassador Stevens' headstone. It's a simple family plot in an old cemetery, with a beautiful big cedar tree right overhead. Someone had left flowers, and a note. The note contained an apology to Ambassador Stevens for our country failing him. It was wet and was falling apart in my hands as I read it. I gently put it back, said a last prayer, and left.

On my way home, the skies were gray and it kept trying off and on to rain. A small silver car was trying to change lanes in front of me. When I saw what was on her car, I slowed down and gave her plenty of room. Next to the license plate were two stickers: a USMC emblem and a Gold Star flag. I remember thinking that we have Memorial Day once a year, and even though many of us reflect on the sacrifices made more often than once a year, the woman driving that car has Memorial Day every day.

As I am writing this, I did what I said I would do earlier. I raised a dram of the best single malt I own, silently toasted and remembered them, as well as all the others gone before. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and the sacrifice of your families and friends.

 

Running Towards the Sound of Gunfire

St. Crispin's Day speech

from Henry V (1599) by William Shakespeare

WESTMORELAND. O that we now had here But one ten thousand of those men in England That do no work to-day! KING. What’s he that wishes so? My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin; If we are mark’d to die, we are enow To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honour. God’s will! I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires. But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive. No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England. God’s peace! I would not lose so great an honour As one man more methinks would share from me For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more! Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host, That he which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made, And crowns for convoy put into his purse; We would not die in that man’s company That fears his fellowship to die with us. This day is call’d the feast of Crispian. He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam’d, And rouse him at the name of Crispian. He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours, And say “To-morrow is Saint Crispian.” Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say “These wounds I had on Crispian’s day.” Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot, But he’ll remember, with advantages, What feats he did that day. Then shall our names, Familiar in his mouth as household words- Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester- Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb’red. This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered- We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition; And gentlemen in England now-a-bed Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.

Boston Marathon Terrorist Attack

I watched the reports coming in from the terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon yesterday. In a word, as with all of these cowardly attacks on innocent civilians... horrific. The information coming in about casualties makes me sick to my stomach. At the same time it fuels a flame in me to want to destroy the cowards that would do such a thing.

Watching people respond to help the wounded, the first responders, civilians, everyone who ran towards the cries of the wounded... my thanks to all of you are heartfelt but hardly necessary. We're Americans. We pull together when things get tough. It's what we do.

Godspeed to those that were murdered. A quick recovery to those that were injured. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and your families.

To my brother and sister LEO's... find them.