Rest in Peace, Martin Gunny Barreras. Between 1989-1992 it was my honor and privilege to serve with this great man, Ranger, and friend in B Co. 2/75 Rangers, injured while leading his battalion from the front in Afghanistan. I was fortunate to have been able to see him, if only briefly last Saturday at Landstuhl Hospital, the day before he was flown to the US. Although he was sedated and wasnt able to converse, I was able to talk to him for a few short minutes and he seemed to respond by moving his arm and trying hard to open his eyes. We thought he would pull through. I put a bottle of Jim Beam in his personal bag, and I hope the Specialist escorting him home, or anyone else he served with will take that bottle and drink a toast to his life, if they havent already. From where I live just south of Ramstein I can see the C-17s taking off, and I am sure I saw his aircraft leave the next morning, Sunday. I said some words and a prayer for Marty as I saw it heading west - home. I thought wed get to talk eventually and looked forward to it. He gave all and gave all he had in his life, living by the Ranger Creed. He was a Marine for five years prior to joining the Rangers in 1988, and he was proud of that but was Ranger all the way - committed and not looking back. He used to tell me Rangers shouldnt have US Army across their uniform, it should read US Rangers because we hold a higher standard; that always stuck with me, along with only positive memories of a man who went all out in everything he did, and was a true professional. I probably wouldnt have known him all that well, but when he was injured jumping into Panama in 89, he worked for me as the armorer for a time as he recovered, and was a superb mentor and leader for all the Rangers in HQ platoon. In the past few days Ive learned how later in life, he had gone on to even greater challenges at 75th Regimental Recon, then training new Rangers at the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP), where he also trained the actors from the movie Blackhawk Down to ensure they got it right, and I read today how he was instrumental in the rescue of PVT Jessica Lynch and recovery of American Soldiers killed from that convoy during OIF I, not to mention multiple deployments since. Marty also spent his first tour in the Marines in Beirut, Lebanon during the bombing which killed hundreds of Marines in 1983. I now recall that he only missed becoming a casualty because he was sent on a hey you detail by helicopter to a ship in the Mediterranean to pick-up re-supply. Mixed emotions looking back, going from sadness over the loss to smiles of the memories, wanting to memorialize Marty but also celebrate his life and achievements. Seeing him the other day I saw the Hero he is and always was, doing what he loved, but wondered what could have been if we had brought our blood and treasure home because this war reached the point where the law of diminishing returns applies 5-7 years ago, in my opinion. Instead we lose another great Ranger and Servicemember serving in our longest war, so I bow my head over this loss, especially for his family. He deserves all the honor of a Hero, and he would probably tell me to stop sulking or questioning why, because he knew of no greater calling than that of leading his Soldiers right to the end, a man nearly 50 years old, still out in front of his battalion, leading the way, inspiring those around him. That is how I will remember him - the memories of someone who never changed from what we recall of him 24 years ago, still going strong right to the end, in mind, body and spirit, when most would have lost the edge over those 30 years of service; truly amazing. His life should give us pause to reassess our commitment to excellence in our lives. Rest in Peace, my friend. Rangers Lead the Way (RLTW)!
Posted on: Sat, 17 May 2014 11:49:33 +0000
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