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Hard Charger
Group: Community Supporter
Last Login: 6/18/2007 2:59 PM
Posts: 2,321,
Visits: 978
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Today while in math class, I noticed a young lady wearing what I at first thought was a POW/MIA bracelet. Then I thought, maybe it's some new thing for troops in Iraq. So I asked her. She looked at me and paused. I realized she was trying to steel herself, for what she was about to say. "My brother was killed in action in Iraq. I wear this as a reminder of him" Her eyes welled up and so were mine. I was damm close to overflowing. I just wanted to interrupt the class and give her a big hug. I don't even know her, so I really did'nt feel that was appropriate. She is the first person I have personally met since the f!@#$%^ tango's started this shit on 9-11 that has lost a loved one in this war. It really kinda threw me for a loop. I was able to interpret his unit for her, as she was unsure what B Co 1 BN 16th INF meant. He was a Tabbed SSG. (she said he was a Ranger) She also said he was KIA in Sept time frame. All I had to say to her was God Bless your brother. I also invited her to come to our site. As I know there are many other family members here. Stupid me with names, I can't remember her or her Brothers. I'll find out when I get back to class on the 6th.
"I have the Americans with me, and they have their death ray. Surrender or die!" Gen. Abdul Rashid Dotsum. Afghan Warlord.
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Regular Joe
 
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 9/13/2004 8:57 PM
Posts: 287,
Visits: 1
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RAKK, tell her she is definately most welcome here! I for one would wish to express my condolances and thanks and admiration for her brother, a true hero.
"Do you know against what type of men you'll have to fight? We who dine on sharpened swords and drink down blazing tourches as our wine. Then for dessert they bring us broken Cretan darts and splintered pike shafts. Our pillows are shields and breastplates and beside our feet lie bows and slings. We crown ourselves with catapult wreaths." - Mnesimachus, Macedonian playwrite- 350 BC.
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Regular Joe
Group: Registered User
Last Login: 10/23/2008 8:49 AM
Posts: 458,
Visits: 865
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God bless him and may we never forget his sacrifice..... Sir, I hope you dont mind but I ran a search through a Coalition Casualties list for SSG's from 1-16 Infantry killed in Iraq. This may or may not be him because this man was killed in November but this was the only KIA from the 1st of the 16th Infantry. SSG Gary L. Collins 32 Years old from Hardin, Texas. Killed in Fallujah by an IED on November 8th, 2003.
"I Know in my heart that Man is good, That right will always eventually triumph, and that there is purpose to each and every life."
-Ronald Reagan, November 4, 1991 at the Dedication of the Reagan Library
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Hard Charger
Group: Community Supporter
Last Login: 6/18/2007 2:59 PM
Posts: 2,321,
Visits: 978
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Hey Mav thanks for the info. I would guess he is the Brother in question. She told me he went over in September. I may have been mistaken on her saying he was KIA in that month.
"I have the Americans with me, and they have their death ray. Surrender or die!" Gen. Abdul Rashid Dotsum. Afghan Warlord.
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AIRBORNE INFANTRY...BY GOD!!!
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 6/23/2008 10:09 AM
Posts: 434,
Visits: 44
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I knew Gary Collins. He was in my CO (2nd Plt, A 1-16IN) at Riley. We called him "Ranger Rick," as he was tabbed. A fine NCO, and all around great guy. He was an E-6 but I understand he had a conditional promotion to E-7 but he may have snuck in ANCOC since I last saw him in 2000. I will miss him. I am in contact with some buds still there in the company. His BFV was hit by an IED, fucking cowards leaving that on a roadside rather than facing our troops. I was really bothered when I read his name on the Taps page of our Regimental Assoc. Newsletter. He was a Wolverine (2nd Plt). RIP, Gary. OUTLAW2G out.
And the Lord spake forth unto the heavens and said, "LET THERE BE AIRBORNE."
The earth did tremble and quake and the waters did rise up and the clouds did part and there came forth a multitude of parachutes that filled the sky.
God looked down and saw this was good. And they were good;
They were AIRBORNE! 
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