CHIEF McNASTY’S CORNER
I can barely write this and maintain a civil expression for my own kids.
I, like all of you, was barraged by the news of Whitney Houston’s death all weekend. My initial Corpsman’s thought was correct: DEATH BY PARTYING. I read the endless accolades about her talent, and contribution to her industry. Unfortunately, she will forever be known as a talented artist for whom wealth was a curse, and for her poor life decisions.
Obviously, I didn’t know her; I wish her family well. What I do know, is that her spare change could change most people's lives. Did it?
THE US SERVICEMEMBERS WHO DIED IN-THEATER BETWEEN JAN 1st and FEB 12th (listed below) had no such means. They didn’t sing their hearts out. They BLED them out. They didn’t go on vacation. They went on DEPLOYMENT. They didn’t wave a flag. They FOUGHT for one. They will likely never be honored outside of their families, unless it is by us.
We are bombarded with the empty gossip of celebrities who contribute little, if anything, to our nation's betterment. The next time you see a headline about “How Snooki Got the Weight Off”, or “Kim’s Divorce”, make an effort to remind those around you about these men. Only one of them reached Whitney’s age. She died the way she lived. They died the way WE asked them to live.
HONOR AND REMEMBER THEM:
• USA SFC Billy A. Sutton, Tupelo MS, age 42
• USA BGEN Terrence A. Hildner, Fairfax VA, age 49
• USMC LCPL Edward J. Dycus, Greenville MS, age 22
• USMC SGT William C. Stacey, Redding CA, age 23
• USMC CAPT Joshua C. Pairsh, Equality IL, age 29
• USA 1LT David A. Johnson, Horicon WI, age 24
• USMC CPL Christopher G. Singer, Temecula CA, age 23
• USMC CAPT Daniel B. Bartle, Ferndale WA, age 27
• USMC CPL Joseph D. Logan, Willis TX, age 22
• USMC CAPT Nathan R. McHone, Crystal Lake IL, age 29
• USMC CPL Kevin J. Reinhard, Colonia NJ, age 25
• USMC MSGT Travis W. Riddick, Centerville, IO, age 40
• USMC CPL Jesse W. Stites, North Beach MD, age 22
• USA SPC Keith D. Benson, Brockton MA, age 27
• USMC CPL Phillip D. McGeat, Glendale AZ, age 25
• USMC CPL Jon-Luke Bateman, Tulsa OK, age 22
• USMC LCPL Kenneth E. Cochran, Wilder ID, age 20
• USA SFC Benjamin B. Wise, Little Rock AK, age 34
• USA PFC Neil I. Turner, Tacoma WA, age 21
• USA PFC Michael W. Pyron, Hopewell VA, age 30
• USA PFC Dustin P. Napier, London KY, age 20
• USA SPC Brian J. Leonhardt, Merrillville IN, age 21
• USA SSG Jonathan M. Metzger, Indianapolis IN, age 32
• USA SPC Christopher A. Patterson, Aurora IL, age 20
• USA SPC Robert J. Tauteris Jr, Hamlet IN, age 44
• USAF SRA Bryan R. Bell, Erie PA, age 23
• USAF TSGT Matthew S. Schwartz, Traverse City MI, age 34
• USAF A1C Matthew R. Seidler, Westminster MD, age 24
• USN EOD1 Chad R. Regelin, Cottonwood CA, age 24
Stay Nasty, my friends.
Brenden M. is a retired USN SARC Corpsmen,
USMC Force Recon Operator, HALO Jumpmaster,
and Contributing Writer for 7.62 DESIGN
(Below: Sorry, pop-culture, no Grammy winners here.
Only endless rows of America's greatest sons and daughters.)
