A year ago today US Marine Corp Marine Attack Squadron 211 Commander Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Raible, armed only with his sidearm, raced towards the Taliban as they broke through the fence on to Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The well coordinated attack utilizing 15 Taliban fighters wearing US Army uniforms will be known in the history books as the "worst loss of US airpower in a single incident since the Vietnam War". Six AV-8B Harrier IIs and a USAF C-130 were destroyed and two other VA-8B Harriers were damaged. Three refueling stations were destroyed and six soft aircraft hangers were also damaged.
Also killed in this battle was USMC mechanic Sergeant Bradley Atwell. Sgt Atwell and LtCol Raible both received fatal wounds from a rocket-propelled grenade that exploded above them as they took cover behind Ground Support Equipment.
It's not that I don't remember September 11, 2001. It is a large part of why I wear the uniform that I do. However, I choose to remember the events and those we have lost since then. My fear is that Sept 11th has become an opportunity for commercialism. Anyone else notice the commercials on TV that day? Anyone else notice all the Facebook posts. By no means am I saying those FB are inappropriate, but where are your posts about those from your hometown that we have lost? Or the send-offs or welcome home events celebrating our Military?
My humble opinion.
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