Six years ago, I was sitting at a desk at FOB Danger, Iraq processing applications for CERP funds.  Periodically, I would go "outside the wire" to look at ongoing reconstruction projects.  I was one of some 150,000 soldiers, sailors, Marines and Airmen serving our country.  We served on a large team, my brothers and sisters in the service.  Now, we lose another, LCPL Ben Schmidt.  Cheered at football games long after graduation, he apparently charmed many.  He designated Texas Christian University to receive his military life insurance money – to set up a scholarship.  He was an extraordinary young man.  See San Antonio Express News report. 

He shunned killing, yet returned for another tour with his fellow Marines.  He went, as many of us did, to look out for our brothers and sisters on the big team.  

Some 140,000 men and women are serving in Afghanistan.  Another 40,000 or so in Iraq.  Men and women die everyday in one of those two wars.  Does anyone notice?  Here in San Antonio, we notice the passing and huge loss of LCPL Schmidt.  But, even here in Military City, USA, will we notice the loss of other Marines next week from some other town?  Some time back, a First Lieutenant asked if we cared.  See my prior post.  He just wanted us to take notice of the troops serving overseas.  I hope we do……