Matt,
Thanks for reminding us of the sacrifices of those on the tip.

Neil Roberts hailed from Woodland (not far from me) and I remember him being one of the first of the "high profile" KIA's from OEF. Obviously, I didn't know him, but from what I've heard/read he went down fighting, as a Hero and he upheld the highest traditions of the Teams. He is one of America's true Heroes.

For those that have made the ultimate sacrifice, you have my eternal respect and admiration.

Semper Fi
thebronze | 12.22.04 - 4:58 am | #

Matt,

Yes, thanks. The pages you linked bring these heroes to life. This is the time of year when their loss is felt most keenly by their loved ones.

Especially on the heels of the evil that occurred yesterday, it is good for us to be reminded of what we are doing, what we are fighting for, and why we are sacrificing some of our best. It is not because we don't revere life but because we do.

God bless and keep the ones who make the ultimate sacrifice, and God bless all the rest who are willing to.
Peg C. | 12.22.04 - 7:28 am | #

I am also very thankful for the ones in my immediate family that made it home.
Grand Father Vet of Korea(Chosin), Vietnam
Dad Vet of Vietnam and Desert Storm
Uncle Vet of Vietnam
Uncle Ven of Vietnam and Desert Storm.
Every Christmas I get to spend with these men is a blessing.
Thanks for everyone on this site and the kind words and blessings they have for all our troops.
rick keyes | 12.22.04 - 8:34 am | #

I think it's time to lock 'n load and produce some terrorist KIAs, get some payback. And at times like this, I don't feel very scrupulous at all about collateral damage.
Ciggy | Homepage | 12.22.04 - 9:35 am | #

Peg wrote what I feel much more beautifully than I could. Thank you, Matt, and all of heroes for what they have done and what they are doing.

God bless you all and I pray for the families of those that have fallen that they may find some peace and solace in knowing that there are so many of us out here that feel helpless pain in the sacrifices of their loved ones. I also pray that these families and our military do not believe that the MSM speaks for all, or even most, of us.
Karen | 12.22.04 - 1:01 pm | #

I found your blog through American Soldier's blog!

I have two brothers-in-laws who are both members of the Teams! One is currently in Little Creek, and the other is in Tampa! They returned this past summer from their deployments in Afghanistan and Kenya. One of them knew Brian quite well.

I didn't know about the "adopt a SEAL" program until now! I definately will do so now!!

It's interesting to see your sight, and get perspectives like I may get from "R" and "R".

HooYah! Thank you so, so much for having served and protect our great country!
frogsister | 12.22.04 - 1:22 pm | #

Thanks for sharing...
Losing shipmates is part of the job, but it doesn't mean that we should accept the losses as "routine".
We will remember these men, and thank God for their mettle.
Again, thanks for telling us about these heroes.
Semper Fi,

Sgt. B.
Sgt. B. | 12.22.04 - 1:23 pm | #

Everyone of them is a hero. Thank you for sharing their stories with us.
Enigma | 12.23.04 - 12:18 am | #

I'm gettin really mad at those suicide bombers who are dancing on our troops' skulls and pissing on their body bags.

Lets' get the troops out of that hellhole and back to America!
Calvin Hob | 12.23.04 - 1:39 am | #

Thanks for sharing about your buddies who lost their lives. Also, thanks for starting your blog.

I'd like to say that I have more respect for the special forces community than I could convey in a simple comment like this. You are truly men amongst men. It's largely because of unsung heroes like these that we continue to live and thrive in the greatest country on earth.

God bless the soldiers who have given their lives, and God bless those serving now and their families.
Greg K | 12.23.04 - 8:23 am | #

I do not know where you were 2 years ago but Fox ran a little news item on BM1 Roberts. I think in part because he was from Cal which is supposed to be the home of wimps like "traitor John" from Marin. Neil was also from NoCal as I remember the story. He took a lot of the bastards with him. Unfortunately if Fox is correct he was mistreated like the guys in Somolia were a decade ago. God bless all of them. Keep their memories for ever Matt I will never forget the guys from Nam.
Rod Stanton
Rod Stanton | 12.23.04 - 4:41 pm | #

Matt, my sympathies on your fallen friends. I've written and posted a poem in their honor--and in honor of all the other heroes who have died so we can live the good life that we have in the USA.
Kathy Carroll | Homepage | 05.30.05 - 12:59 am | #

Your words of dedication, respect and love for your fellow Teammates and SEALs are as sobering as the thought that the world’s safety and sanity is being protected by a handful of brave warriors.

On this special day I wish to salute all US warriors past and present, the words of Major Michael O’Donnell (KIA March 24 – Dak To Vietnam) suites this day and the days to follow perfectly.

Regards,
Jan | 05.30.05 - 2:22 am | #

Matt, thanks for the reposting. I re-read these men's stories and was moved all over again. We honor the courage, bravery and sacrifice of these and other lost heroes today, and all the armed forces. This country can't be reminded too often of the exceptional people who are willing to give their all for us. Thank you for sharing some personal memories of these men.
Peg C. | 05.30.05 - 8:17 am | #

I tried posting this once but it didn't go through. I hope I'm not duplicating...

Thanks, Matt, for sharing these thoughts and stories with us. I remember reading this post when I first found your blog (read it twice then, that I recall) and am moved all over again now. These men are gone but I feel like I know just a little piece of them (the penny story was great). I wish their families peace and for them to know their loved one's did not die in vain. A lot of us are damn grateful for people like them, and in more than a little awe. I feel completely humbled by it all.

Yesterday I was at Jones Beach, Long Island for the annual air show. I was there with my mom, who was in the Navy. I couldn't help but thinking that beach with thousands of people, Vets from all the recent wars, fathers home on leave pushing carriages and running after little one's, parents teaching their kids how to pay respects and about the important things in life, IS America. We were all regaled by the show (this year the Thunderbirds were the main event) and you could see pride absolutely oozing from everyone. I never thought I could think a jet was beautiful, but it happened! My mom commented she had goosebumps watching it. The son and brother of a Marine, next to us, having major "men moments" with his five year old, commented that he is glad he's not the enemy! One of the announcers read the poem that includes the line "it's not the reporter that gave us the free press, but the soldier." It was a beautiful day and it was even more so being in such great company.

We're all so completely blessed being from here, and not a single day goes by when I am not fully aware of that.

Thanks again for your service! I'm grateful, proud, and filled with humility at being from the U.S.

Please remember Leonard Urso, my godfather, who served on the USS Wasp and who died very unexpectedly two years ago, my uncle Bob McNair, who served in Korea and is sick right now with cancer, and my uncle Dominic Tringali, who was also in Korea, that he may continue to have good health.
Adele | 05.30.05 - 9:27 am | #

Thank you for this great post. My wife's Uncle Edward Clonts was a Navy Seal UDT who served in Korea and Vietnam. Thank you all who allow us civilians to sleep safely every night.
Billy Budd | Homepage | 05.30.05 - 11:55 am | #

Thanks Matt for the remembrances!

I am 62....My father was a WWII vet. Retired due mental exhaustion. He was a proud man.

He lived thru many events in S & N Italy, and S. France. He was three times a purple heart vet.

He NEVER spoke of any battle stories. I only got the stories of Italy, and R & R time, and things he and his fellow soldiers did and experienced.

What he lived through limited the rest of his life, but at least we had him to be our father for many years thereafter.

A special salute to 1st LT Paul K. DeLand, U.S. Army...My Father.

Duke of DeLand
Branch Chief, National Staff, Ret. USCGA
Duke of DeLand | Homepage | 05.30.05 - 5:14 pm | #

Matt,
Glad you wrote about this, let's remember Jason Pruitt, regarding Brian I could tell you a million stories about him, most of them are so funny you'll $hit your pants. I think he is still pissed at me for puking all over his car, but as you know $hit happens.
Julio

P.S. Frogsister, was your Brother-in-law at Team Four? (the one that knew Brian)
Anonymous | 05.30.05 - 7:53 pm | #

Jason too, for sure. I miss him and his death was a terrible loss. Thanks Julio
Froggy | Homepage | 05.30.05 - 11:21 pm | #

I didn't know Neil well, I was already serving in europe when he enlisted. I did go to school with his older brother Sean and sister Blair. I spoke with Sean a few months ago and Neils actions are definitely CMH material. Thank God for operators like Neil and the rest of the spec-ops community. Most people have no idea what these guys face regularly and willingly. Not to take away from anyone, thank you to everyone who ever put on the uniform and served our country.
Doug | 05.31.05 - 4:21 pm | #

Doug,
I can't tell you how cool an LPO Neil was. He was a pretty salty dude when he showed up at BUD/S, and he didn't get stressed out by anything. We had officers freaking out about this or that all the time, but Neil just sort of smirked and calmly led us through training each day. He set the BUD/S record for the obstacle course (I don't know if it's still standing) and it was just incredible to watch the guy. Here he was this red headed freckled smiling bastard and he was blowing the doors off of all these pretty boy triathletes. I'll never forget it when he broke the record. The instructors knew he could do it so they let him run the O course alone while the whole class cheered him on. He fucking flew up the cargo net litterally leaping up it. Then when he got to the "dirty name" he took it in 2 giant strides never touching it with anything but the soles of his boots. When he came down the "slide for life" he actually slid down the rope on his chest with his arms outstreched like a fuckin' bird. It took him 3 big pulls and he was down. Amazing.

I have no doubt that he fought all the way until the end. I have spoken to people who had watched the Predator footage and they told me he went down fighting.

Great guy. Great American. Great Hero.
Froggy | Homepage | 05.31.05 - 11:53 pm | #

Thanks for the wonderful tribute to Brad Tucker. I dated Brad while he went through BUDS training on Coronado. We lived together (with my young daughter, Natalie)in North County and Brad used to come home each day just exhausted from all the training...but so jazzed about becoming a SEAL. He had so much enthusiasm and joy in every aspect of his life. We did the long-distance dating thing for a long while after he left for the East Coast, but never made it down the aisle. I credit Brad for so very much, but mostly for teaching my daughter and I what it felt like to be loved by a good man. I don't think I would have been happily married for the past 6 years if Brad had not taught me how to love. I am glad he had a friend like you. I know Brad would have been thrilled to have gone out of this world doing something he loved.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Jennifer Evans | 07.28.05 - 8:58 pm | #

I am Brad's wife Heather. Brad did not die in 1997...he died in 2000. I don't know if you knew him as well as you say you did, but can you kindly change that date?

Heather Tucker
heather tucker | 08.08.06 - 7:24 pm | #