Memorial Day - 2025

[Ooh-Rah]

Putting my personal memories aside, each Memorial Day I find myself reflecting on two specific events: the tragedy in Benghazi and the loss of Extortion 17. Both were devastating in their own right — one likely preventable, and the other so staggering that I still struggle to comprehend the impact; not only to the Special Operations community, but to our Nation itself.

Extortion 17 - National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum

Never Forget

 

[Topkick]

Putting my personal memories aside, each Memorial Day I find myself reflecting on two specific events: the tragedy in Benghazi and the loss of Extortion 17. Both were devastating in their own right — one likely preventable, and the other so staggering that I still struggle to comprehend the impact; not only to the Special Operations community, but to our Nation itself.

Extortion 17 - National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum

Never Forget

Watching a veterans memorial day tribute on TV last night, my wife could tell I was in a somber state and asked if me I was ok. I told her that what upsets me is that these very kind of days tend to be forgotten with time. My battle buddy was killed by a VBIED in 2005, I was there and helped clean it up, and besides his family, sometimes I think I'm the only one who remembers that instead of just a day off work to drink beer and barbecue.

 

[Gunz]

Marines of my company--7th Co, 2nd Combined Action Group, 1970-71--I've carried their names in my wallet for decades. When the paper the list is written on wears out, I write a new list.

Pfc Andrew Phillips
Pfc Daniel Wood
Sgt Ron Chapman
Pfc David Fogg
L/Cpl Frank Dawson
Sgt Ken Whitmer
Pfc Robert Hardwick
L/Cpl Doug Carrol
L/Cpl Larry Hoyt
Cpl Dale Hutchins
Pfc Richard Smith
HM2 Robert Lopez
Cpl Ansel Morse
Sgt John Thornton
Sgt Mahlon Kelly
Pfc Johnny Briseno
L/Cpl John Sievers
Pfc Greg Keller
L/Cpl Glen Fiester
L/Cpl John Arteaga
L/Cpl Dan Gallagher
L/Cpl Ronnie Ross