I found this picture online of my fallen friend. I just remembered this is the look he always had, and remembering those little things is making this a little easier to handle.
Rich was hit on 2 Jan 08 by an IED in Afghanistan, he was severally injured then MEDEVAC out to Germany, then home to BAMC in Ft Sam Houston. His injuries involved ruptured spleen, liver damage, a broken leg, and most of his skin being burned. On 11 Jan 08 he passed away. It is devastating that this happened, I really wish I would have known he was hit-I would have went to BAMC to see my friend-I guess to say goodbye.
He will be buried out in the Scranton Area, Pittston, PA I believe. Tomorrow Sgt Trigillo and I will leave Erie, PA to attend his viewing, then the following day his funeral. I can only imagine how his wife, who he loved dearly and his son's that he was so proud of are handling this. There next few months and even years will be very difficult, I do pray for their strength to make it from day to day.
Another assuring thought is that, he was doing what he wanted, for almost two years he tried to get on a deployment, and he finally did. He wanted to serve and heal his fellow Americans, he is a hero.
A hero that I will truly miss.
"No Greater love, than he who lays his life down for his friend"
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