Damn.
I've already lost far too many of my Marine buddies. I come from the Special Ops community and when you are in its like you are flying along at Mach 2. You are always uncomfortable, wet, tired,sandy,dirty, hungry, sore, far from home etc. We have a saying 'Embrace the Suck' because as long as you are dealing with the pain, you are exactly where you are supposed to be. You are part of a team who is looking out for you and you for them.
When it's over, you feel like you are moving backwards at 100 miles an hour. Out of control. You feel guilt. You can't understand it or explain it. And you see faces and remember smells that CANNOT get out of your head.
You drive on with daily routine but it's hard to get through the most frickin routine stuff.
I sure hope and pray he had a bunch of good times, and any of you that knew him had a chance to tell him how you feel about him.
Semper Fidelis. Fair Winds and Following Seas. Your mission is now complete. No more pain my brother.
I will see you in Valhalla !
Greater love hath no man than this....