Recently, over the course of twenty-four hours, we were made aware of the passing of two our Berlin Brigade Brothers. While no one likes to hear of a death, especially Family and Friends, it is an unfortunate consequence of life. All of us will leave this mortal coil one day, it cannot be avoided.
One minute we are here and the next we aren't. No trumpets nor fanfare marks that moment when we cease to be. That is sad.
For soldiers, the reality is even sadder. I have always considered the death of a fellow soldier a very terrible thing. Here is someone that knows me though not personally but knows me because we share the same love of country, that love that we showed when we raised our right hand and took our oath. We share the same pains and joys, especially if he was an Infantryman like me. We have seen the same things and had common experiences, especially if he served with the Berlin Brigade.
We walked our talk. Then to have one less means the rest of us now have to tighten our perimeter because we are all we have left. We must continue to have each others back. Though we might not have served at the same or were not in the same unit but we were there, in Berlin. We were there at a time when things could have gone sour at the drop of a hat. Sometimes, that hat did drop. We were there to do a job that not very many were able to do but WE DID IT because that's what we signed up to do.
There might not be tears for you when your time comes nor do I expect tears to be shed for me when my time comes. However, we should all expect that every Berlin Brigade Veteran tightens up, gets shoulder to shoulder and continues the mission. Though the Berlin Wall has fallen, the Berlin Brigade deactivated and Communism is a fading memory, our mission will never end. We were Soldiers then as we are NOW. That is why we must carry on.
First, we say Goodbye to our buddies, friends of our youth. Until we meet again.
Rest In Peace Roy Ramirez, Eric Stephen Sly, and all the others that have gone before.
All The Way. With Pride.
-DG
