It was hard to write. I got kind of torn up when I found out about the Marine, even though I had no connection to him at all. I guess when we see one soldier who was lost, we see all of those who were lost.

Thank you, Jack. Hope you’re doing well.

Mark,

That’s right. They didn’t die so that Afghanistan can become whatever it becomes. They died for the people beside them. That’s worth something.

Randy,

I met amazingly gifted and intelligent people in the military. Some of the guys who loved combat the most were also the smartest. You’re right, too many people think we soldiers are poor victims who only fight because we’re too stupid to go to college.

Screw those people. They’re wrong.

Mikey,

The memories are hard sometimes. I can only tell myself that they didn’t die for nothing; they died because they felt that the cause was worth their lives. Whatever happens later doesn’t change what their service and lives were worth.