Monday, September 12, 2011

A Word for Petty Officer Brian K. Lundy

Hospital Corpsman Third Class Brian K. Lundy, 25, of Austin, TX, died while conducting a dismounted patrol in Marjah, Helmand Province, Aghanistan, on September 9, 2011.

Doc Lundy was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, Second Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC.

Semper Fi

Sunday, August 14, 2011

A Word for Hospitalman Riley Gallinger-Long

Hospitalman Riley Gallinger-Long, 19, of Cornelius, OR, died August 11, 2011, while conducting a dismounted patrol in the Marjah District in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Doc Gallinger-Long was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune.

Semper Fi

Thursday, July 14, 2011

A Word for Hospitalman Aaron D. Ullom

Hospitalman Aaron D. Ullom, 20, of Midland, Mich., died while conducting a dismounted patrol in the Now Zad district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, on July 12, 2011.
Doc Ullom was assigned as a corpsman with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Semper Fi.

Friday, April 08, 2011

A Word for Hospitalman Benjamin Rast

Hospital Corpsman Benjamin D. Rast, 23, of Niles, Michigan, died April 6, 2011, while conducting a dismounted patrol near Patrol Base Alcatraz in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Doc Rast was stationed at Naval Medical Center, San Diego, but assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division, in Afghanistan.

Evidence seems to point to this being a "friendly-fire" missile strike from a Predator drone. I don't know what to say to that other than "shit happens."

Semper Fi

10/4/2016 Someone (Anonymous) recently pointed out that my summation "shit happens" was insensitive, and I can't deny that. This was reportedly the first "friendly-fire" Predator strike of the war. No one meant for Doc Rast and SSGT Jeremy Smith to die, and drone strikes were meant to save American lives, not to take them, but it happened. SSGT Smith's father said he forgave the operator and I'm okay with that. I hope he can forgive himself. It happens.