It just doesn’t seem real that a person could be snatched away in the blink of an eye. One minute they are alive and breathing, the next, they are called back into the void, into the embrace of the mother of us all. We see death every day in movies, games and on TV, but what those things lack is the most important aspect of death. The most devastating thing about it, the personal connection. Death in itself isn’t that frightening, but when you lose someone close to you, you start to think about the idea of never seeing them again… of never hearing their voice or laughing with them. You think back to the last words you said to them. Everyone would have had something different to say to them if they had the chance. We, as the living, should treat everyone as if they are going to die before we see them again. Maybe there would be less hate in the world then. Maybe then we would have a chance at redemption. There is nothing you can do or say to prepare yourself for the death of a loved one. Only time will make the truth be felt, like this horrible thing actually happened. For now, I still keep thinking that maybe it is a sick joke of some kind. My friend can’t actually be dead. He is alive somewhere, opening a beer and laughing the way he always did. Rest in Peace JR Stright. I love you bud. I will miss you. You were a paragon of what a soldier should be.You will be missed.



In memory of {ASP}Mercury, JR Stright.