“Each man must at one time die. No one may escape dying that once, and it is my counsel that we not flee, but for our own part act the bravest. I have fought a hundred times, sometimes with a larger army and sometimes with a lesser one. Both ways I have had the victory, and it will not be reported that I fled.” —Volsung, The Saga of the Volsungs.
This is a quote my son had posted on his Face Book page recently…along with the news that his brothers in arms had fallen recently.
My son, is an Army Ranger, and is presently in Afghanistan…AGAIN.
TwoThree separate incidents took the lives of three four of his fellow Rangers.
The first, Army Ranger Sgt. Tyler Nicholas Holtz…was killed by direct fire from enemy forces during a heavy firefight while conducting combat operations in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. This was his fourth deployment.
The second, Army Ranger Spc. Ricardo Cerros Jr. had died saving the life of his wounded sergeant during a predawn raid Oct. 8 in an Afghanistan village. Sgt. Moore is alive because of Ricardo’s bravery.
The third incident, SFC Kristoffer Domeij and PFC Christopher Horns, both Rangers, were killed along with 1LT Ashley White who was serving with the North Carolina National Guard, during combat operations after triggering an improvised explosive device near Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.
The four Army Rangers were with the 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment.
True American Heroes
…and it will not be reported that I fled
Not only were they Rangers…they were in my sons Unit.
I am sooo sick and tired of hearing how many “soldiers” return from non-combat operations and get out with disability because of their so-called post traumatic stress syndrome! I work with the military, so I hear a lot of this…and can speak from personally having to subject my ears to these whiners!
Don’t get me wrong, post traumatic stress syndrome is very real for many…I just think there are some who take advantage of it, and don’t necessarily suffer from it.
My son…along with his brothers in arms literally fight for their lives every time they deploy…most make it back, some don’t…but I have yet to hear my son complain about it, or hear him utter the words, “I can’t handle it”. By the way, this is my sons sixth deployment.
These are our heroes folks…
I’m done with my rant…for now.
God bless those that give the ultimate sacrifice for us, and God speed, Ryan.
Printer Friendly Version
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I can’t imagine how I would feel if my son is in war zone. I pray for your son to come home safely.
I wish the best for your son, Cowboy. He and his fellow soldiers are indeed brave men, and those you mentioned heroic.
I don’t have such positive feelings about the… um, people who sent them there
Heroes indeed. I know how hard it is to have a loved one literally in the line of fire. I hope and pray your son comes home safely.
May your son stay safe.
I totally get where your rant is coming from, but there is a part of me that had to cringe. I have PTSD and I’ve never even been to war. I certainly hope that people aren’t taking advantage of it, but I hope that those that do need help get it because it sucks and I also hope that they don’t get stigmatized for asking for help.
PTSD is very real, and is brought about from all kinds of experiences…not just war. I just think that there are some that take advantage of the system.
I am so sorry for the loss your Ranger has experienced. I don’t think anyone understand as “Ranger Parents” what our lives are like. I pray for all our Rangers Daily! “Sua Sponte” Rangers Lead the Way!