They Went With Songs to the Battle, They Were Young: Heart Thoughts on Afghanistan

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"They went with songs to the battle, they were young,

Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them."

I’ve tried to write this so many times, but I'm speechless. Everyone is speechless. In a world full of noise, there are so few words at a time like this.

Watching the catastrophe in Afghanistan the last few weeks has felt surreal. I've wanted to share my support, but I’ve struggled to find words - my heart is so broken over the situation. It feels so personal.

Over the last two weeks, I've thought about all the great guys I've known over the years who fought and lost friends in Afghanistan and are now left questioning everything. I've thought about the families who will forever have a gold star engraved on their hearts, and a beautiful little girl I met once, 4 - maybe 5 years old, who wore a Marine Blues dress in honor of the daddy who was never coming home. And I've wondered about the fate of those who are now left behind.

With a heart full and few words, I've prayed a lot. Checked in on my friends who served over there. And I’ve prayed a lot more.

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Thursday, when the bombing report came in, we were celebrating my brother's 20th birthday. As the names started to trickle out and then the official list was released, I can't tell you how many tears I shed seeing their faces, names, and ages. I'm still crying.

Kids. Marines the SAME AGE as my brother. 20 years old. Infants at the start of this war.

Too young to drink. But old enough to die.

Now that they've been brought home, I'm afraid of the apathy that will follow. It always does. The news of tomorrow will overshadow the headlines of today. Soon people will forget about the debacle of the last few weeks, and if they don't forget, they will be uncomfortable remembering.

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But it's good to be uncomfortable. It's important. While our lives resume, the families of those 13 will never be the same. Let's not allow ourselves to become apathetic.

Image from Nicole Gee’s instagram

For me, while I look for other ways to help, I will continue to pray for the comfort of the grieving and the safety of those now left abandoned in Afghanistan. I will pray for the Soldiers and Marines coming home, and for the health and well being of those who served previously and are now dealing with feelings of betrayal and loss.

As nightmarish as the last few weeks have been, I do believe there is some hope in the rubble. Amidst the scenes of heartbreak and disaster, we have been inundated with reminders of the individual courage of the American serviceman and their willingness to unselfishly sacrifice ALL at a moment's notice.

"Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die."

6 days before she was killed in the line of duty with her fellow Marines, Nicole Gee posted a photo on her instagram holding an infant and captioned, "I love my job."

At the cost of their lives, we have been reminded that American patriotism still exists.

Thank you for your service to this country.

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Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah

Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts

Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California

Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California

Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska

Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California

Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio

Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee.

What We Know About The 13 U.S. Service Members Killed In The Kabul Attack