They used to be peers at a minimum, but some were older mentors.

Now when I look back at pics all of them look so young.

Even MSG Horrigan, who I remember looking at as the epitome of an older, experienced warrior was only 40 when he died.

Yep….Ben, Victor, Dan, Jason, Ron….all died before their time.


18Z50

I'm with you.  The Vietnam Vets... we are them now.  

"The Best Years of Our Lives."  I watched that movie.  Now I know how granddad felt.  you.  Me.  Us.  We are the guys in that movie.

I've got maybe two years left before I hang up my cleats.  I'm going to be an asshole to anybody worth my time and effort.  A lot of salty NCOs invested their time in me.  That's probably why I wasn't blown in half fifteen-twenty years ago.  I owe the next generation the same.

Yep.

Platoon Sgt In Germany made CSM and was killed Christmas Eve 2003.

He met his wife in Germany and never went back to the states.  

He still looked young.

RIP CSM Cooke.

https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-command-sgt-maj-eric-f-cooke/256975