Never Forget.

On August 16, 2012, Task Force Wings had a blackhawk helicopter go down.  Everybody on board was killed.  All together, there were 11 people on board the aircraft, 4 of those people were the Soldiers from Task Force Wings.  2 pilots and 2 crew members.

Unfortunately, this is our second aircraft to go down killing all those on board.  I can definitely say that it never gets easier.  2 nights ago was the Dignified Transfer Ceremony.  This is the ceremony where the transfer cases that are draped in American flags are transferred to the Aircraft that will take them back to Dover Airfield for the fallen hero's family to meet the body.  Along with our Soldiers, there were 7 other military members that died in the crash including Navy Seals and Afghan Soldiers.  All together, 11 transfer cases were unloaded during the ceremony.  It was definitely an emotionally draining event.

Today our BDE held the Memorial service for the 4 fallen crew members.  Other Soldiers who knew them well spoke about them and remembered the good times they had.  2 of the Soldiers left behind small children, and the other 2 were survived by their parents.  I did not personally know any of the 4 Soldiers, but as I sat there listening about their lives, I couldn't help but be affected.  I just kept thinking about how their families said goodbye to them in January and didn't know that they wouldn't get a chance to welcome them home next January.

I know that when I get the chance, I will hug all of my family a little tighter the next time