We at Living Patriot would like to add our voice to many others in expressing our heartfelt condolences to the friends, family and soldiers of Fort Hood in the aftermath of the terrible attacks yesterday. This attack reminds us of how fragile and fleeting that life can sometimes be. It’s not the deaths of these soldiers that we will remember but rather their lives. That they decided to stand for something bigger than themselves and becoming more by service to others than they could otherwise have been.

These events remind me of another tragic loss a little over a year ago when the crew of the bombing flight RAIDR 21 didn’t return from a training mission. One of my closest friends from childhood, when speaking at the one year anniversary of this loss in July, Lt. Col. Tyrell Chamberlain said:

“When RAIDR 21 didn’t return from their mission a year ago, we were all stunned. For some time, we worked through our feelings of loss, of grief, and of sacrifice. The tragic loss took our breath away and made us pause – and question…At the root of many of the answers we found the common theme: the men on RAIDR 21 gave their lives flying the aircraft they loved, serving their country, and demonstrating our common strength and resolve to protect our people and our way of life…They knew in their heart, that success lies in serving others, and pursuing a cause greater than ourselves…Continuing to fly and fight is just one way we honor the Airmen of RAIDR 21. We remember them by projecting airpower around the world to remind our adversaries and potential adversaries of the power and commitment of our great nation. We remember them by continuing our mission of vigilance, and providing the umbrella of deterrence to their families and ours.”

Like the members of that squadron, who honor their loved and lost by continuing their mission, so to will the brave men and women of Fort Hood go forth and continue to protect this great country. We honor them for them for the lives they have led, and we remember them for the sacrifice they have made.