Thread by @SgtRobSR

Memorial Day thread. I've served "in every clime and place" and when you're part of the Big Green Gun Club, eventually you're going to have to face a folded flag and a 21-gun salute. Here are a few people who wore the uniform but never made it home.

LCPL Jason Rother. We were in boot camp at @MCRDSD together. In August of 1988, less than a year after we became Marines, he was abandoned while on a training exercise at 21 Palms. He died of dehydration and exposure.

CPL Steve Bentzlin. My first squad leader in 2nd BN, 1st Marines. I learned a lot from him. He was a great Marine and a strong leader. Killed by friendly fire when his LAV was hit by a missile during the Battle of Khafji during the Gulf War.

SGT James Hagger (left). My section leader in Delta Co. 1st BN., 4th Marines. A strong NCO who took care of his troops. I remember going to the helo dunker at El Toro and he didn't get to go in because he couldn't swim. Died when his CH-46 went down off Mogadishu in 1992.

SGT Jeff Shaver. Medic with 1st BN, 161st Infantry, @WANationalGuard. The first KIA our battalion suffered while we were in-country for Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Killed by an IED while out on patrol.

SPC Jeremiah Schmunk (far left). Rifleman, 1st Squad, 1st PLT, Charlie 1-161. He was a natural soldier, a class clown who was all shits and grins until we went outside the wire and then he was all business. Killed in a firefight in July 2004 south of Baghdad. I miss him everyday.

SGT Damien Ficek. Originally with Charlie Co. 1-161 3rd PLT, his background as an Army Ranger made him an obvious choice to serve with the cadre training Iraqi troops. Killed during a firefight in Baghdad less than two months before we were supposed to go home. RLTW.

SGT Eric Seims, pictured here with his brother Ben. Charlie 1-161 2nd PLT. One hell of a Guardsman. A great man. A good father. Eric survived the war in Iraq, only to lose his personal battle with the demons he brought home with him. He died in November 2011.

"From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be rememberèd—
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother"

Rest easy and I'll see you all in the Assembly Area brothers.