Blackhawk Crashes, 7 Marines and 4 Soldiers Lost

[D'Artagnon]

http://www.pnj.com/story/news/military/2015/03/11/military-helicopter-crashes-in-florida-panhandle/70136348/

 

Flags all around the area area at half staff.  Just another reminder that our service members have the most dangerous job, with the most dangerous training either in wartime or in peace.  And they are all volunteers.  So they deserve respect for their service, their sacrifice and their courage.

 

11 Americans, brave and true, lost while doing what they do for the country they love.  We should all have such dedication.

[Mark C.]

Well said, D'Artgagnon.... We have always supported our troops overseas with packages filled with things from home. Just feels so good to pack up a big box and ship it off....

[ken barber]

Brings back far to many memories. I am amazed at how often this stuff happens and it never makes the news. Being in the Military is inherently dangerous even here in the states and many people don't even realize it. We give kids access to some really really big scary toys, give them a basic training on it and say here go play. 66.3% of the men and women in uniform are under 30 years old. These kids should be out doing St Patrick's day pub crawls and getting arrested for puking on a cops shoes but instead they put the uniform on and strap themselves into a flying machine (built by the lowest bidder), or settle into a 60 ton giant armored behemoth, or strap loads of live ammunition and grenades around their waist, and march off to that invisible wall. The sacrifices they make and risks they take on a daily basis are something that those that haven't served cannot ever understand and that's the reason they do it.  

 

11 Americans, 11 Warriors, 11 of our brothers and sisters.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

 

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

 

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

 

When you awaken in the mornings hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

of quiet birds in circled flight,

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

 

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there, I did not die." 

 

[D'Artagnon]

The last of the wreckage was pulled from the sound on Monday, i believe.  The Army and Navy have released the names of the lost soldiers and Marines.  The investigation continues, but foul weather is the most likely primary culprit.  The pilots of the Blackhawk were Army, and rated as Instructor, the highest pilot training and experience rating.  We will know soon.  May they all rest in peace.