Independence Day means something different to me than it used to mean.... SGM McLochlin served in the 75th Ranger Regiment and continued his service to this nation as a member of the Indiana National Guard and his service to his community as a police officer. And he might have just remained a name on a list somewhere to me, until the afternoon of July 5th, 2006. I pulled this out of my journal from my deployment, because I was there when the Sergeant Major landed at at FOB Orgun-E on his way home to his family. Today was as shitty day. One of the Phoenix 4.25 guys was killed in the Mane Kandaw Pass. Somewhere, someone in his family would be cleaning up after the 4th of July fun and was going to receive a knock on the door from someone in a dress uniform who would be there to deliver some unbearable and life changing news. I can close my eyes and imagine the car driving up and a child looking out the window, perhaps yelling to Mom that someone in an "Army car" is in the driveway. And I can imagine the chills and the bile and all of the other reactions that are happening to that loved one right at that moment, because when the US Army comes to see you, it isn't to deliver good news. It makes me sick to my stomach to even think about it. I was driving over to the Chow Hall when the doctor went to the side of the helo where he could pronounce SGT McLochlin and after he did, he stepped back and saluted him. Didn't really feel like eating after that. I have a hard time maintaining control of myself when I think about it. How on earth I am ever going to be able to tell my wife about days like this... And that was how that day went. And I still have a problem thinking about it right now as I type this. The image of the doctor looking at SGM McLochlin and then taking one step back and rendering that salute will be forever seared in my mind, and not the kind of "seared" like Senator Kerry had about his service. I can close my eyes and still see the image as if it happened yesterday. He left behind a wife and three children who I know will miss him the rest of their lives and I can't even imagine how it is that they would greet this day as it approaches every year. You can check out the kind of man that SGM McLochlin was right here and here and, for more information about the Jeff McLochlin Memorial 5K Run/Walk, go here. I don't know if you have a favorite beer Sergeant Major (my last SGM told his favorite kind of beer was "cold"), but I am going to drink one in your honor, like I do every year on July 4th. Because for just a moment in 2006, I got to know the kind of man you are, and it changed me forever....
Read the complete post at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Blackfive/~3/F1RTlu13u18/someone-you-should-knowsgm-jeffery-mclochlin.html
Posted
Jul 02 2010, 07:47 AM
by
BLACKFIVE