Deepest condolences ...

[geoff rath]

News tonight in Australia is that your heroes are aboard their Angel Flight home; a safe return to their loved ones; R I P.

 

[tarbe]

After serving in the Corps for 31 years and retired for 21 years, it still hurts every time I read of a service member lost. I grieve for every lost brother and sister but even more for their loved ones left behind. Semper Fidelis.

Agree.

Training is dangerous.

Not training is more dangerous.

This is why our Mother's never slept through the night or missed a newscast. The family makes the greater sacrifice...those left behind.

May God bless them.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

After serving in the Corps for 31 years and retired for 21 years, it still hurts every time I read of a service member lost. I grieve for every lost brother and sister but even more for their loved ones left behind. Semper Fidelis.

Well said Marine!
It pains me with the passing before their time of every fellow Marine.

I do feel something for soldiers, sailors, and airmen who die early, but not nearly as much sadness as for my brother and sister Marines.

PS: Navy medical Corpsmen who die with Marines cause me the most pain.

 

[tarbe]

PS: Navy medical Corpsmen who die with Marines cause me the most pain.

As one who was CPR'd back 3 times by a Navy Corpsman, I agree whole-heartedly!!

 

[Doubleplay]

Semper Fi.
Fair Winds, following seas.

 

[Velo Dog]

I salute those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom.
Hopefully there is a special place in Heaven for you and I wish very much to see you on the other side of the river.

 

[Woodcarver]

For me and my family, these thoughts, prayers and support are greatly appreciated. My nephew, Maj Tobin Lewis, USMC, was a Marine who understood the risks of the job he had, and served with pride in doing it. Many tributes from all over have been sent to my sister and her family. This one was actually written by a local news reporter, but will give you an idea of the man Toby was.
I had the pleasure of taking him on his first elk hunt, and his first deer hunt. Both were successful in every sense. We were planning another for when his tour in Hawaii ended and they returned stateside.
Toby did everything humanly possible to save as many on that plane as he could, as several who were on that Osprey have written to tell my sister. Twenty of his fellow Marines are still with us as a result. Toby would see that as a success. Our family is very proud of him.

Colorado Marine killed in Osprey crash ‘bled integrity’

Maj. Lewis’ father said he knew since his son was a child that he was honorable and a godly person.

kdvr.com

 

[Red Leg]

I a so glad that you informed our group about this. It wasn't my place. As you so very correctly noted, the actions of that flight crew are what allowed so many fellow marines to see their loved ones again. I so regret his loss and so honor is courage and sacrifice.

 

[WAB]

‘Like’ somehow doesn’t quite cut it for this. Thank you for sharing. With everything going on in the world, it’s reassuring to read a story of a real man living his beliefs regardless of the cost. Respect for him and condolences to the family.

 

[Tintin]

Thanks for sharing that @Woodcarver

I was in Darwin at the time - and there was a genuine and widespread deep sense of shock and loss felt by the community in general.

The farewell photo with his girls in the news article you linked is heart wrenching.

It looks like from the photo you posted he had the opportunity to take a Sambar at some stage. While he was down here?

 

[Woodcarver]

I a so glad that you informed our group about this. It wasn't my place. As you so very correctly noted, the actions of that flight crew are what allowed so many fellow marines to see their loved ones again. I so regret his loss and so honor is courage and sacrifice.

Thank you. It is still tough thinking about at times. My sister is in Hawaii with her Granddaughters and my niece, just helping work through all the stuff a widow has to deal with. Toby has an exceptional wife as well.

 

[Woodcarver]

Thanks for sharing that @Woodcarver

I was in Darwin at the time - and there was a genuine and widespread deep sense of shock and loss felt by the community in general.

The farewell photo with his girls in the news article you linked is heart wrenching.

It looks like from the photo you posted he had the opportunity to take a Sambar at some stage. While he was down here?

We heard and read about the response in Darwin. A huge debt of gratitude is owed for how fast and well the Australian First Responders dealt with the aftermath. Especially when the distance and terrain are factored in. The Australian news reports were our best source of information in the first days after the crash.

No, that is a Colorado elk he shot in 2008 when he went with me to the Gunnison basin. He never lost that grin, just his hair, lol. Another arena he followed his Grandfather in.

 

[USN]

Fair winds and following seas, Sir!

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Sincerest condolences.

 

[gbflyer]

My goodness. What a tragedy, but what a fantastic young man. Best wishes.

 

[steve white]

Perhaps respectfully google "A Soldier Died Today" by Paul Harvey. Condolences

 

[steve white]

Perhaps respectfully google "A Soldier Died Today" by Paul Harvey. Condolences

Correction, it googles up under: Poem, "A soldier died today" or "Just a Common Soldier"

 

[geoff rath]

I've heard today of another chopper crash, this time in the Med; five fine fighting service personnel lost; My prayers continue ...

 

[Flewis]

Another who can’t be replaced.

 

[Woodcarver]

I learned yesterday that my nephew, Major Tobin Lewis USMC, has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal posthumously; the ceremony to be held at his squadron sometime in March. This would be for his actions that enabled 20 Marines to survive that crash. His Grandfather, LtCol Henry L. Searle USMC was awarded the Bronze Star twice for his actions in Vietnam. Two men who truly fit the mold of Marine. Heroes doing their duty selflessly.
Still tough for my niece and sister as they deal with this. Looks like my niece plans to move here to Colorado once school is out. I think that's a good plan.