05.27.13

05.27.13, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Remembering and honoring those who sacrificed their lives - many at a young age - in service to our country.

To Brandon - killed in action 02.18.07
"A U.S. Army soldier from Naples died in the weekend crash of a military helicopter in Afghanistan, authorities said. Spc. Brandon D. Gordon, 21, and seven other soldiers died Sunday when the Chinook helicopter they were in crashed after reporting an unexplained loss of power and engine failure in the Shahjoi district of Zabul province in southeastern Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense. Gordon, who attended Lely High School for his freshman and sophomore years, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky. He joined the Army in October 2003 as a Chinook helicopter repairer, the Department of Defense said in a news release. The military said the Chinook was carrying 22 U.S. service members when it crashed about 50 yards from the main highway between Kabul and Kandahar."

and to Pinkus Aylee, Civil War Union soldier, "since there are no living descendants to do this for him."
~ Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco