Wish I had read this in a Newspaper

But I am damn glad guys like BlackFive are out there. He has an outstanding site, dedicated to the military.

He as a post today that tells the story of 18 brave Americans who died in a helicopter accident in Afghanistan. Not by talking about the mission they were on, but just by giving a brief biography and what they did for their country.

Here is an excerpt. Read the rest.

 Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Ayala, 24, was born in South Carolina and enlisted in the Army after graduating from high school. He married his wife, Athena, while attending flight school at Fort Rucker, Ala., in 2002. Ayala served in Kosovo and Afghanistan, logging 50 hours of combat time in one month. Awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and the Bronze Star, which was awarded posthumously.

Maj. Craig Wilhelm, Ayala’s company commander, praised his “ability to make sure we always kept things in the proper perspective.” Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ed Maynard attended flight school with Ayala and recalled his friend’s love of wine and cooking and desire to find “just the right house” for his wife to live in.

…

Romanes L. Woodard, 30, an Army staff sergeant from Hertford, N.C., was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment. Kilbride called Woodard “a dedicated father and quiet professional.” McGuire said he was a key member of his maintenance platoon, adding, “We could not have deployed as a combat ready force” without him.

There are 16 more like that. You see for yourself, and while you are at Blackfive’s site, tell him thanks.

Wouldn’t it be nice if the Newspapers did stories like this? Not a piece on a soldier who died, and having it recounted as negatively as possible. But a positive spin on what they did and what they lost in service to our country. I may still have a newspaper subscription if that were the case.