Half Mast……

Fenway and I went for a walk earlier today and I noticed a local TV station news van pull in and park in front of the American Legion building next door, two people left the van and went into the hall.  This evening we took another walk. As I passed the Yacht Club at the lakefront I noticed that the flag was flying at half-mast. So was the one in front of the American Legion, the one at the water purification plant and another down toward the marina. I began to wonder….why? Had I missed something.

Then, coming up in the elevator, I remembered hearing a quick report about a soldier from Port Washington who died during a training exercise earlier this month. So I put the pieces together.
After searching on line I think I've figured it out. There it was….information about a young soldier who died during a training exercise. The photo in the paper showed him in uniform cradling his baby in his arms.

This young man, 27, who served his country in both Iraq and Afghanistan was one of 11 killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash during exercises off the coast of Florida. He graduated from Port Washington High School and as a senior was voted the class member "with the best laugh". He leaves behind his wife, a young child and other family members and friends who now have a huge hole in their hearts. As do ten other families across the country.

Out of respect to the family, and because I don't know them, I won't use the young man's name. Apparently his body was escorted from the airport back to Port Washington today. Services and goodbyes will be held later in the week. I won't go…..that would not be appropriate. I didn't know him.   I would not want to intrude in any way.

But this little blog gives me a way to say I am thinking of him, of his family…..of the service he provided for his country….for all of us. I have a son, I have four grandsons. I can only begin to imagine the grief that is enveloping his family today. But thank you to him….thank you to his wife, to his young child who will never know him, to his parents. I hope they know that even strangers noticed those flags at half mast and thought  of him.

I hope, once the grief begins to fade, they remember that laugh.