Death and deployment

White( a person whom I work worth) and I were talking. Both of us have a few deployments under our belt and never has anyone been seriously injured or died on those deployments.

However, this one has been quite the opposite. I have been here for less than 3 months and we have had 2 people die. Not from combat injuries because we are not engaged in combat here. But from natural causes. The first of which was a 21 year old Marine who's name I do not know died in the gym while working out from unknown causes.

The most recent of which passed away yesterday. At least we became aware of it yesterday. He was believed to have passed away some time before he was found. His service although not here was a memorable one. An honor guard of Airmen escorted the casket to the vehicle which would transport it from the hospital to airport. While the streets were lined with service members from the French Navy , Yemen Army, Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen who offered their respects and final salute.

I did not know the man well but I did know him. I had the good fortune of sharing conversations and laughs with the man. His passing has been tragic with me although I do not know if it was because I knew him or what he represented. I cannot help but to look at the table we sat at with a new profound sense of respect and yearning.

War is a cruel monster in which we as a people have become desensitized too and I have come to fear the idea of 'what if the last thing you said to your loved ones was the actual last thing.' This is a tragic place and situation in which no one should have to die not having seen their loved one's in such a long time and yet so far away from them.

But just in case I love you Kim and I love you Mom. Thanks for being the greatest influences in my life.

Farewell and Following Seas Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A. Moore, Chaplain Corps, United States Air Force