Memorial Day is a day to ensure those who have fallen are never forgotten. And whether a few years, 20 years, or more, there can never be enough thanks given for those 13 who fought and made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan this past year.
Remembering those 13 warriors, who fought for what was right and were sadly taken from the fight too early, is a small token of appreciation that can be given. It only takes a moment to think about the lives these people might have lived, each different from the last and yet all still had the same goal of making a better place for those who cannot fight. This small gesture will ensure that their contribution to the missions they fought for will not go in vain.
(Below are those 13 who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service of their county.)
Corporal Dillon Baldridge, from Youngsville North Carolina. He was assigned at Fort Campbell in the Headquarters Battery, 3d Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Company D.
Sergeant William M. Bays, from Barstow, California. He was assigned at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Headquarters Battery, 3d Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Company D, 1st Battalion.
Specialist Christopher Michael Harris, from Jackson Springs, North Carolina. He was assigned at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82d Airborne Division.
Sergeant 1st Class Hughton O. Brown from Brooklyn, New York. He was assigned at Farmingdale, New York, 306th Engineer Company, 411th Engineer Brigade.
Staff Sergeant Aaron R. Butler, from Monticello, Utah. He was assigned at Camp Williams, Utah, 9th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Specialist Gabriel D. Conde, from Loveland, Colorado. He was assigned at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK, 3d Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.
Sergeant 1st Class Stephen B. Cribben, from Simi Valley, California. He was assigned at Fort Carson, Colorado, 2d Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group.
Sergeant 1st Class Mihail Golin, from Fort Lee, New Jersey. He was assigned at Fort Carson, Colorado, 2d Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Staff Sergeant David Thomas Brabander, from Anchorage, Alaska. He was assigned at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, 3d Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.
Sergeant Eric M. Houck, from Baltimore, Maryland. He was assigned at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Headquarters Battery, 3d Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Company D, 1st Battalion.
Sergeant Jonathon Michael Hunter, from Columbus, Indiana. He was assigned at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 2d Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82d Airborne Division.
Private 1st Class Hansen B. Kirkpatrick, from Wasilla, Alaska. He was assigned at Fort Bliss, Texas, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.
Chief Warrant Officer Jacob M. Sims, from Juneau, Alaska. He was assigned at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, 4th Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
Although only the 13 individuals who died while serving in Afghanistan are listed, to forget the countless men and women who came before them would be to forgo their sacrifices. Starting at the American Revolution, where a battle for our freedom was being fought, to World War I and World War II, where we fought alongside others on a global scale to keep peace among the world. Vietnam, Korean, Dessert Storm, the list goes on, and will continue as long as there are people willing to give their life for what is right.
General John Nicholson, Resolute Support commander, said it best at a 2017 Memorial Day service, "I loved these soldiers. They died doing missions, that I gave them … these Soldiers are my examples; I draw strength and character from them. I have been blessed to have them in my life. These are the incredible soldiers who we honor today, on Memorial Day. We must all – each of us – be worthy of them.”