Remembering many this #MemorialDay2020 weekend—all will be carried with me until the end of my days.

2LT Rich Torres (L) was KIA in Iskandariyah, Iraq on 06 Oct 2003. I was Rich's Co Cdr. He was from Passaic, NJ, and a Yankees fan. He would become a father posthumously. 1/

PFC Kerry Scott, a native of Concrete, WA, was Rich's gunner and was killed with him on 06 OCT 2003. He had previously served in Korea and waived his stabilization to deploy with us to Iraq. He is buried in the foothills of the Cascades. 2/

SGT Dale Lloyd was a Team Leader in my company. A history buff, he planned to leave the Army after our deployment and go to college. He did a spot-on imitation of me to keep morale high. The kind of young leader you build around, he was KIA 19 Jul 2004 in Iskandariyah, Iraq. 3/

PFC CC Persing left a tough upbringing in South Louisiana. He is buried back home in Springfield, LA. I visited his mother there in 2005 and brought her a plaque the boys made for him—an identical one hangs in the city hall. He was killed with Dale Lloyd on 19 Jul 2004. 4/

SGT Brandon Adams, a native of Hollidaysburg, PA, was seriously wounded in Qaryat al Hasa (outside of Amiriyah Fallujah) while conducting an operation w/a SMU to capture/kill Zarqawi Feb '04. He lived for 7 mos after being wounded, passing during an operation at Walter Reed. 5/

SGT Russell Durgin, Henniker, NH, served in my Co during Iraq—moved to the Scout Platoon for the BN's next deployment. He was KIA 13 Jun 2006 in the Korengal Valley. I attended his funeral. Russ was the funniest dude I knew. Called him Puddy (from Seinfeld). He was engaged. 6/

SSG Mark Baum, a native of Quakertown, PA, was one of my Team Leaders when I took Co command. He left active duty and joined the PAARNG's 56th SBCT. He was KIA 21 Feb 2009 in Baghdad, leaving behind his wife and 3 children. 7/

SSG Kim Voelz was KIA on 13 Dec 2003 in Iskandariyah, Iraq. She was assisting one of my platoon's with reducing an IED—it triggered while she was dismantling it. My 1SG treated her, keeping her alive long enough to be evac'd to Baghdad where her husband saw her one last time. 8/

1LT Mike Runyan, a native of Ashland, OH, was KIA by an EFP in Muqdadiyah, Iraq on 21 Jul 2010. His SIL said, “Michael had this amazing energy. He could make anyone laugh, and could always cheer you up. Everybody adored him.” He was an all American kid. 9/

SGT Jamal Rhett, a native of Palmyra, NJ, was KIA in Baqubah, Iraq on 15 Aug 2010. “He was my knight in shining armor,” said his mother. Jamal was a combat medic and loved by all. He was posthumously promoted to SGT. 10/

MAJ Doug Sloan succeeded me in command. He was KIA in the Pech on 31 Oct 2006. Last time I saw him was when our families bumped into each other at the Applebee's in Watertown, NY. Nicnamed "Lunchpail," he would give Russ Durgin a run for funniest guy I ever knew. 11/

HM2 Anthony "Doc" Carbullido, a native of Guam, was KIA on 08 Aug 2008 in Sangatesh, Afghanistan. Took the pic on the left 06 Aug 2008 as Doc treated an elder in Mangan. Likely the last picture taken of him. Will never forget when he put a live goat in a teammate's room. 12/

SFC David Todd, native of San Antonio, was KIA on 20 Aug 2008 IVO Bala Morghab, Afghanistan. Dave saved my life, and several others during a fight. Met his parents (Mary and David) in SA Oct 2018 and told them the same. The FOB was named after him. His parents have the sign. 13/

Growing up at Fort Campbell, I was friends with CPT Michael Eastman's son and daughter. He gave up his seat on a flight to a soldier who's wife was expecting and was killed when his plane crashed on 12 Dec 1985 in Gander. His family was on the front page of the NYT. 14/

Attended Fort Campbell HS with COL John Keneally's daughters and remain friends today. A member of the Ranger HOF, John was killed while commanding 3rd Ranger BN—the MH-60 he was a passenger in crashed into the Great Salt Lake during a training exercise on 29 Oct 1992. 15/

Attended Fort Campbell HS with the gold star spouse and BIL of CW3 Thomas Gibbons. Tom enlisted after HS, served during DS and then left the Army. He later re-enlisted, serving as a Ranger and then a pilot in 160 (SOAR). He was killed 30 Jan 2003 in a crash in Afghanistan. END/