2 years later - Not a day goes by...

Wow, yeah, it's been a long time. I think tonight I've finally had the time, patience, and heart to post after my life has changed so much.

Not a day goes by where I don't think about my time in Afghanistan. Mainly, my memory is stained with the loss of the guys I trained over and beside on a daily basis. I think of SGT Douglas Bull who was the first Soldier lost in my unit and a team leader when I was Alpha Company XO. I think about PFC David Badie who was my armorer for a majority of my time as XO. I think about the others who died with him - 2LT Michael Girdano, SPC William Mulvihill, and PVT Jair Garcia. 2 weeks earlier, I had tried to give 2LT Girdano words of encouragement and motivation as I knew his platoon's job would be one of the toughest in Afghanistan. He humbly smiled and shook my hand.

I usually think of our training and the poor decisions made by a few in leadership... and I usually get angry. I think about these brave guys, trying to give a country peace and freedom from religious oppression, and how they were taken out by evil men who sat and waited to shed blood. It reminds me of Proverbs 1:10-19. I think about the variables - how, one day, when I was the first vulnerable truck, another heavier armored truck took the blast. I thank the Lord. I thank Him for men like 2LT Girdano, SGT Bull, SPC Mulvihill, PFC Badie, and PVT Garcia = heroes.

My thoughts can't help but turn to their families- their parents, brothers, sisters... sons and daughters. I look at how much the Lord has blessed me. I have a daughter now. I get to see my own little one. I have a beautiful daughter and wife. I couldn't ask for better parents, brothers, grandparents, and friends. The Lord has given me a great job, a house, and a car. He allowed me to be born in America and grow up in a Christian family. He chose me and chose to work in my life, love me more than anyone possibly could, and sent His only Son to die on a cross for me - a sinner. He chose to give ME eternal salvation.

Not a day goes by where I don't think about this.