Yesterday, I had the solemn duty of attending a memorial service for a fallen brother in Clackamas, Oregon. Master Sergeant Danial "Slim" Adams was killed in action on September 13th in Wardack Province, Afghanistan. Slim was a team sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) based out of Stuttgart, Germany. He has left a loving wife and three children behind. Whenever a warrior falls, our nation suffers a great loss. Though I never knew Slim in life, I have no doubt that we'll meet in the afterlife. In fact, I'm sure he is prepping the Area of Operations for the arrival of us late jumpers. It was an honor to memorialize his life and service to our country.
The memorial service was simple yet dignified. It was attended by MSG Adams's parents, family members and friends from the Portland area, a representative from the governor's office, the command team from 10th SFG(A), approximately 50 Patriot Guard Riders, and members of Special Forces Association Chapter 47. Colonel Deedrick, the commander of the 10th SFG(A), gave a moving speech and presented MSG Adams's parents with a shadow box containing the US flag and all of the awards and decorations earned by Slim during his military career. At the very end of the ceremony, SFA Chapter 47 brought the parents and sister of MSG Adams into a private room where we'd set up a fallen comrade table in his honor, as well as, a table for his parents and sister facing the memorial table. All of the active duty SF personnel were in attendance. We solemnly passed single file by the wine table and secured our charged wine glasses. After this, we formed a semi circle around the family and toasted MSG Adams's memory. Once finished with the toast, we filed by and crushed our wine glasses so that they'd never be drunk from again. Hopefully, we were able to provide his parents and sister with some insight into how important and dignified MSG Adams's service to his country, team mates, and Special Forces truly was.
In honor of MSG Adams's service, I ask all Americans to solemnly read the following words and to take a quiet moment or two to think about what their significance means to you, your family, friends, community, and great nation. They are: Compassion, Courage, Honor, Loyalty, Devotion, Integrity, and Selfless Service to a cause greater than self. As I looked up into the starry sky last night, I'm sure that I saw MSG Adams up there encouraging us all to live life to the fullest, to do our best, and always to practice the Golden Rule.
De Oppresso Liber
3 comments:
I am so glad MSG Adams had a very honorable funeral. I do appreciate his dedication, and love for our country. He gave his life for all of us. I pray for his family to be blessed greatly by the Lord and surrounded by friends and family that will help them.
Brad, Thanks for being there for those of us who owe him so much. I wish all could understand the dedication and sacrifice and the debt we owe the fallen. DOL.
Thank you for sharing a firm reminder of the supreme price paid for our freedom.
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