2009 was the year that I first traveled to an actual combat zone. I had a naïve view on what exactly to expect. I thought it would be a lot like WWII where my bird lands and rounds are flying. That wasnt the case. I was green a slick sleeve if you will... meaning you dont have a combat patch on your right arm. After a few months, I realized that deployments suck. You have no technology. Only mail and care packages to and from home. I learned to truly appreciate those care packages. Such a moral booster. Anyway, I began to get complacent, thinking that nothing is going to happen this deployment, all my friends and NCOs will come home alive, ect... SFC Fabrizi had passed away due an ambush and small arms fire. But I still thought nothing other than that would happen. October 3, 2009 changed my life. Though I was not part of the battle that occurred that day: I was on FOB bostick on the ECP working security. Unknown of what the battle my friends were going through just 50-75miles away. 350 Taliban insurgents had begun attacking Combat Outpost Keating. Although we killed many Taliban insurgents that day, the cost was great We lost 8 amazing soldiers and men. The one known most to me was SSG. Martin. My NCO before we deployed. We had attended CLS and first responder course together. He went out of his way 3 times to pick me up on a snowy Colorado morning for PT because my car wouldnt start. He taught me much of what I know now as a soldier and as a man. I wasnt there at COP Keating 5 years ago, but I believe I do feel your loss. Each and every one of you who either endured, or lost you life during that battle have my respect as a soldier and a man. RIP to the U.S. soldiers who died during that battle.
Posted on: Sat, 04 Oct 2014 00:06:27 +0000