Veterans Day..
To those who took the time to thank me for my service, thank you for remembering. There are a few people I should thank as well, whom I feel deserve it a lot more than I. The men whom I had the honor of serving with, of calling my friends and brothers. The men who helped shape me into the soldier I had become, who spent all those cold nights with me sleeping in dirt holes (shallow graves), sharing cheap laughs at the expense of each others mothers while running for days with no food and each of us too weary and frightened to try and sleep. Those who raised their hands along with me when asked for volunteers, knowing damn well those are always the shit missions. Those whose hands I shook many...

Veterans Day..
To those who took the time to thank me for my service, thank you for remembering. There are a few people I should thank as well, whom I feel deserve it a lot more than I. The men whom I had the honor of serving with, of calling my friends and brothers. The men who helped shape me into the soldier I had become, who spent all those cold nights with me sleeping in dirt holes (shallow graves), sharing cheap laughs at the expense of each others mothers while running for days with no food and each of us too weary and frightened to try and sleep. Those who raised their hands along with me when asked for volunteers, knowing damn well those are always the shit missions. Those whose hands I shook many times while making the promise that we would get eachother home.. no matter what. Those brothers of mine who stood by my side through countless raids, being screamed at and spit on by the very people we were there to protect, saying "we're the good guys... aren't we?" The same men who after each jump seemed to know they would never make it back, who could still look at me and say, "we're gonna get through this, hooah?" The men who took frags for me, who took bullets for the team. The men who stood with me as my friends and my brothers, and stood behind me as my team.. even when they tried to send us to Court Marshall. My fellow Wardogs whom I found out took fire and lost their lives after I was gone:

McCormack
Higgs
Nathan
Saggars
Allen
"Scout"

My best friends who took heavy fire with me during our final sweep:

Justin, I love you man. I never got to tell you how sorry I am that I had to leave you there. I know Doc did his best. I couldn't tell what you were trying to say to me through the blood in your throat, but I'm sure it was something smart-assed. If I knew how far gone you were I would've thought of something better to say than, "it's gonna be ok man, Doc's got ya".. I'm so sorry. You trained your boys well though. They were brave, they fought hard.. I'm sure you would be as proud of them as I am. We told your dad that you talked about him all the time, he was very proud of his son and he was in full uniform for your funeral. I miss you man.

Cassidy, you only took a single round that night, but it was enough to kill you before you hit the ground. I told your wife that you were picking up Justin's radio to take charge of the team and keep the momentum just like we taught you.. and that you didn't suffer. They gave you two medals for your actions... I don't know what else to say.. we got 'em though, buddy.. with your help.. we got 'em and we made it back.

One of the closest friends I've ever had, Avery. I have said my piece to you many times, like I do every December at the very spot where you died. Bear and I have never forgotton you man. We keep your picture on the mantel of our fireplace. My daughter still talks about you sometimes.. I wonder how long that will last. I wish you could see the kids now, they've gotten so big. Your mom texts me every now and then.. she misses you man.. as we all do. I'm still doing my best to take care of Bear, as I know you would've wanted.. I guarantee she's gonna cry when she reads this. We love you man.

Lastly, my brother Kevin. You were my brother and my best friend, we joined the Army together... you and i both know you made a shitty civilian. Everyone was in histerics when they gave me the news that you had gone back out and didn't make it back. But I know you. You always knew you would die doing something great. From the amount of Brass that was at your funeral, I could tell you were involved in something special. A bunch of us wore flip flops to your funeral, Sarah thought you would've gotten a kick out of it. You know the rule, always gotta give the widow what she wants. Ben was a very brave little man standing next to his momma.. I hope he ends up being just like you, but I think he's too good of a kid for that =p They presented Sarah with five medals that you earned during your last mission. I know we were always in competition, but this officially gives you more than me.. I'm so proud of you bro.. and I miss you so much.

I have gotten many thanks for my service, but all of you are the reason I'm even still here to recieve them. I thank you, my brothers, for your service, for your sacrifice, for my life and for my freedom. I love you. I miss you. Thank you