Thursday, January 12 a CH-53D helicopter crashed in
Afghanistan killing six Marines. The helicopter went down in
Afghanistan’s southern
province of Helmand and the military has not yet identified those killed but John Riddick said that his son Master Sgt. Travis Riddick at the age of forty was among them. Master Sgt. Travis Riddick grew up in Iowa and joined the marines straight out of high school being stationed in Hawaii. John Riddick said that his son served three tours in Iraq and two in Afghanistan and this was going to be his last. Carsten Jocobson, a spokesman for the NATO coalition, said that officials were looking for a “technical fault” as the possible culprit and his reaction to this news was, “The helicopter is one of the safest forms of transportation, not only does it protect troops from the danger of roadside bombs on the ground, but it is well tested and a well proven way to travel.” U.S. Rep. Mazie K. Hirono, of Hawaii said, “We owe them and all of our brave servicemen and women a debt of gratitude for their dedication to our country.” For more information please feel free to visit
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/20/afghanistan-helicopter-crash-marines_n_1218562.html.
The news of the tragic helicopter really touched home with me because it really made me think about the fact that I took for granted that my brother made it back safely. We see tragic stories like this or about the war almost every day on the television, in the newspaper, or on the radio and it has different effects on everyone. My heart goes out to the family members of those six Marines and I am sorry for their loss. To most people hear news like this and it is so normal that they don’t take much notice to it. Those Marines were husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and loved by many and earned respect. Too many people are quick to forget about them and go on with life because what is it to them, why is this the average Americans thought process? There are those who know what it is like to have a loved one fighting for our freedoms and they have sympathy for those who are left to carry on with another stinging reminder that freedom is not free.
Amazing post! It was really touching and it really makes you think!
ReplyDeleteI am really glad that you liked it Michaela! I have fulfilled the purpose of this post. I set out to make people think and get through to them. I talk to you a lot about what’s going on in my life so I hope that here I brought something new to the table and other points of view.
ReplyDeletePS: Thanks for the post:)